~Eleanor~ “So, what game would you like us to start with?” I asked as I took my seat across from him, Jenna standing beside me. “Mhmm… Heads-up Poker is not a bad option,” Daniel said, and I nodded. Heads-up poker? It was an old game that was popular in the Moonshadow Pack several years ago. Poker was a game I enjoyed playing with Father. Tch! I frowned, recalling the conversation I overheard. “Scared?” Daniel inquired, a taunting smile settling on his lips. “Hah! Why should I be scared to play poker with you?” “Perhaps you are afraid of losing,” he said as he leered at me. I could not help but chuckle internally. Not to brag but this guy did choose the wrong game to compete with him. He appears to be an experienced poker player, but I doubt I am any worse than him. “Well, let's see how it goes then…” **** I sat across from Daniel, my gaze fixed on him, attempting to read his every thought. The dimly lit casino was silent except for the gentle hum of the air conditioner and
~Eleanor~ “How dare you point at Mr. Kyles!” Edward exclaimed aloud. He kicked Daniel's hand, which was extended. Crack! Damn! His bone snapped. I was shocked to my bones as Daniel's screams echoed in the hall everyone had given us a distance. Without being told, I knew that the tense aura surrounding this man was what prevented them from approaching us. “Fuck! Who exactly is this dude? He has the guts to attack Daniel? Is he not afraid of dying?” “Exactly! Daniel is powerful! I heard he has a connection to the dark world.” *I fear they will not live to see the sun tomorrow. Poor thing this adorable bunny is on their side.” Their comments got on my nerves, but I was also scared. Is Daniel powerful enough to cause problems for Nathaniel? Nathaniel moved closer to me, as if he could read my mind, and whispered into my ears, “Chill! These people are nothing but pencils in my eyes,” Oh, that was the cockiest word I heard today. Daniel quickly recovered from the scream. He glared
Attention: This chapter contains multiple points of view.—----------------------~Eleanor ~As Nathaniel's lips touched mine, I felt a rush of excitement mixed with a hint of fear. His embrace was possessive, and his hands moved around my body with a sense of ownership. I tried to resist, to assert some control, but he was too powerful.Just when I thought I was losing myself in his kiss, he pulled back, his eyes gleaming with something, possibly lust?“Mate?” he called. Watching his thin, sexy lips part as he spoke drove me insane.“Let's get one thing straight: you're mine now. Mine to protect, mine to cherish, and mine to punish if you ever try to leave me.”I could feel the power in those words. Hah, Punish? What exactly did he mean? But before I could ask, he continued, his voice dripping with every atom of possessiveness. “You're mine, Eleanor. Forever and always.”With that, he claimed my lips again. As we kissed, I felt myself melting into his embrace, my body responding to
~Nathaniel~“You dare slap me again, B…” Mara did not continue to speak, but her displeasure was obvious on her face. She held her face and turned to look at me, and I stared back at her expressionlessly. I could have simply ordered her punishment, but seeing Eleanor stand up for herself, I can not help but wonder what she plans to do with the princess.“Oops! Aren't you speaking all mighty and gracefully just now? Are you tongue-tied? You do not call me names and curse at me because you have some stinky blood in your veins.”Oh, shit! That was savage. Calling the royal blood of the Duke family “stinky.” Tch! She is definitely learning well, and I was pleased.“You have the audacity to call my blood stinky! I am the only daughter of the Western Duke. The future duchess of the Western Clan. You dare to call me names and even slap me; do you realize that this is punishable by death?” Mara screamed at the top of her voice.Her voice echoed throughout the hallway, and I frowned. Clearly,
**Moonshadow Pack**~Isabella~I walked into the grand hall, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of my bitch step-sister. I had been searching for her for more than a week now. she seemed to have vanished into thin air which wasn't a good sign.As I made my way through the crowds of people, I noticed a figure standing by the window, her hazelnut-brown eyes fixed on me. Lady Kylie.I felt a shiver run down my spine as our eyes met. There was something about her that made me uneasy, something that made me feel like she could see right through me. I tried to brush off the feeling, telling myself I was just being paranoid.As I approached her, she turned to face me, a small smile playing on her lips. “Lady Isabella,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “It's so nice to meet you on this beautiful spring morning.”I forced a smile onto my face, trying to match her level of politeness though I knew deep down that it was just a facade. “Lady Kylie, the pleasure is all mine.”“Ah,
_________Author__________**Duke Henry's Palace** (West)Slap!Slap!“Oh, Henry, that's enough. Please don't hit any longer.” Margarita, Mara's mother said as she stopped the Duke from hitting Mara again.Duke Henry angrily pushed both the mother and daughter duo away, and an angry frown appeared on his face.“Don't speak when you're not asked to,” he shouted as he pointed his finger at her. “It's all your fault" he went on. “I told you to stop pampering her but you refused. Now look at what she has done.” “Father, it's not my fault, I promise.” “Keep quiet. Do not open that smelly mouth of yours when I speak, fool. This isn't the first time you'll be causing trouble for us.” Duke Henry growled in anger.“I always made sure you get away with each nonsense you did just to prevent people from pointing a finger at the crown princess but today, you decided to do more. You offended Nathaniel and His Luna!”“I should be his Luna, not that damn ginger-head!!”Slap!“I said you shut the fu
~Eleanor~I waited anxiously for his reply. Somehow, I wanted him to say yes. I doubt I will be comfortable with anyone else knowing how dumb I am. Nathaniel's face lit up with a warm smile. “Of course, my dear. I'll be your teacher and guide. I'll help you navigate my… our world and answer any questions you have.”I felt a surge of relief and gratitude as I heard his response. That was all I needed right now. “Thank you, Alpha Nathaniel. That means a lot to me.”“Nate!”“Nate?” I was a bit confused as I repeated his words.“Call me Nate. Reader Samantha called me that and I'd like it if you could also start addressing me like that instead of being too polite.”I blushed at how close he was to me. His hot breath laced my neck which made my heart tingle. I shouldn't be so polite to him, right? He is my mate and all signs of our bond and attraction prove it.I took a deep breath before carefully saying, “Nate,” Oh damn, that sounds so cheesy, hehe.He nodded, a satisfied look plastered
~Eleanor~“Hah, her guardian angel did not come along with her again. She thinks she is a Goddess, using black magic to compel our Alpha to walk her around the pack house; how despicable!”As I entered my room, I was greeted by an unfamiliar face. It was a woman with long, curly hair and a scowl on her face. She looked rather eye-catching and was sitting on my bed, looking like she owned the place.“Who are you?” I asked, trying to hide the annoyance from my voice.“Who am I? Tch! Only fools don't know who I am.” She chuckled and the two other minions beside her also laughed.“And who do you think you're for me to know? King Charles III of England? Stop being stupidly ridiculous!” I fired back at her with a nonchalant look. Her brows pulled together as she stood up from the bed and pointed her fingers at me.“How dare you!?” She screamed.“How dare I? You're just someone insignificant trying to be significant by stepping on me but news flash…” I snapped my fingers in front of her face
~Unknown Location~The night was thick, moonless and drowned in silence. Shadows clung to the brick walls like rotting ivy, wet with the stench of decay and forgotten bodies.Two figures stood where the alley narrowed into pitch-blackness. Only one dared speak.“Master,” the smaller one said, bowing low. His voice was a rasp of wind over bone. “I bring news.”A low, amused hum answered him. “Speak.”The spy’s eyes flickered with fear. “The girl… the one of royal bloodline. She’s getting stronger than before. If we don't act fast now she'll become a bigger obstacle. Plus… there's another obstacle”There was a pause after the statement was made.“Another obstacle?” the taller figure asked. “Yes, Master. The witch, Nadia. She’s being too stubborn with zero ambition. Unlike the other one, Jenna. She doesn’t manipulate. She believes in the girl. Deeply, too deeply. She’s pushing Eleanor toward reclaiming her Luna strength.”The Master let out a cold and lifeless chuckle. A sound that didn
~Eleanor~I don’t know how long I stood there, unmoving, as his words echoed repeatedly in my head. Why him? He is just perfect. An Alpha with all power and authority yet he looks and claims to have a soft spot for me in his heart. For me! An unintelligent, combat-less, and wolf-less wolf.Doesn't he need a powerful Luna to stand by him? Like Victor. He is a Beta yet he needs an equally strong beta mate.I sighed and took a deep breath.My gaze trailed over to the gown and silver robe still untouched in Nadia’s hands.The fire’s blue glow flickered against the stone, casting shadows that danced like spirits. Everything felt weightless and yet unbearably heavy. I hesitated.I needed my wolf alive, yet my body knew fear. My heart knew doubt. But in the space between those two, his presence grounded me.Nathaniel stepped forward and gently took the robe and gown from Nadia. Without a word, he turned to me, hands open in offering. There was no force in his eyes, no pressure, just that re
~Eleanor~The moment Nadia muttered the incantation and the spirit fled, everything around me blurred like smoke in motion. I barely had time to breathe, let alone speak, before the room around us shimmered and dissolved.The air turned crisp. The scent of pine and something ancient wrapped itself around my senses. In the blink of an eye, I found myself standing in the center of what could only be described as a coven’s sanctum, with high stone walls overgrown with thick black moss, encircling a clearing lit by moonlight filtered through fractured glass above. It felt like we were somewhere between the earth and a place far older.The silence here was different.Nadia didn’t waste a second. With a sweep of her hand, seventeen black candles dropped to the forest floor in a perfect circle around the stone dais. No wax melted. No flames yet flickered. She disappeared before I could blink, her body vanishing into the same shimmer that brought us here.“Wait… Nadia!” I called, but she was
~Eleanor~ *"It sounds like a wolf separation ritual."*My blood ran cold, and the world around me seemed to tilt. "A... wolf separation ritual?" I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper. I was stunned beyond words. How could they?Nadia nodded grimly, her face darkening with a seriousness I hadn’t seen before. She drew closer, lowering her voice even more. "Miss Luna, a wolf separation ritual was forbidden and outlawed centuries ago after the Great Purge. It’s considered one of the cruelest things that can be done to a werewolf," she said. "It's the act of severing the bond between a wolf and its human soul. It's... it's a partial killing." A chill spread through my veins, colder than any winter."But why? Why would they…" My throat closed up. The memories of the ceremony flashed before my eyes: the blindfold, the pain, the searing loss... the feeling of emptiness that never went away. Nadia bit her lip, a troubled expression crossing her features. Oh! How much more complicated
~Eleanor~ Backtrack to the day of the ritual… Earlier that morning, Father had sent three maids to me despite my insistence. He said he didn't want anything to go wrong, and he wanted everything perfect. My father is my pride, and I have nothing against him. I was dressed in a plain, floral white gown. A blue moon pendant attached to a red string could be seen around my neck. A silver tiara, shimmering under the full red moon, was placed on my head. Standing barefoot on an altar with a giant statue of the first Luna Queen and the first female Beta comrade of Blue Moon Pack, ore-made silver shackles were used to bind my arms together. “Kneel! Beta Victor has arrived, and the ritual shall begin.” The high priest announced. The tone in which it was said was surprisingly as powerful as it would have been the pack Alpha rather than a beta. But I was so blinded by my excitement of being the beta's mate that I nodded with a gentle bow before going to my knees. It's the first time I wil
~Eleanor~“Are you sure you're okay!?” Nadia probed, watching me pace around the room for the hundredth.“I’m fine,” I answered, still pacing back and forth.“Alright! That's it. I can't continue watching you go up and down. I feel dizzy. Miss Luna, better tell me what's wrong now before Alpha Nathaniel blames me later.”I wasn't able to react quickly as Nadia placed her hands on my shoulders and with a single push, I landed carelessly on the bed.Sigh! “You didn't call me here to watch you contemplate your thoughts, did you?” she asked, sounding sweet but the begrudging crease between her brows betrayed her voice.“Yeah, I did.” I grinned.She frowned and shook her head with concern. “No, you didn't. Miss Luna, could you please tell me what's wrong? Did someone from the pack bully you behind Alpha Nathaniel’s? You can let me know, I'll seek justice for you.”“No… no, of course, no one dared to bully me. It's just I - I don't understand this mind link of a thing. See, your Alpha can r
~Eleanor~I countered with a punch of my own, but Nadia was too quick and dodged it easily. She retaliated with a series of swift punches, each one aimed at a different spot on my body. I tried to defend myself, but she was too fast, too strong.Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, Nadia stopped and grinned at me. “Not bad, Miss Luna. You've got some fight in you after all. It's been quite a while since I found someone who could stand my attacks for more than five minutes.”I panted, trying to catch my breath. “Thanks...I think… I'm exhausted.”Nadia chuckled. “Don't mention it. Now, let's try something else. Defend yourself against my attack.”Oh, didn't I mention being exhausted? She charged at me, her fists flying in a blur of motion. I raised my hands to defend myself, but Nadia was relentless. She kept coming at me, her punches and kicks aimed at my face, my stomach, my chest.I stumbled backwards, trying to avoid her attacks, but Nadia was too fast. She caught me with
~Eleanor~As I stepped out into the pack house grounds, I was met with a sea of curious faces. All the members of the Twilight Pack present in the new house were gathered under the ancient oak tree, their eyes fixed on Nathaniel, waiting for him to address them. But their gazes kept drifting towards me, filled with curiosity and speculation. I can guess they were wondering if the rumours the guard mentioned were real. Who was I? What was my relationship with Nathaniel?I felt a flutter in my chest as I scanned the crowd. So many unfamiliar faces, all of them wondering about me. I stood a little straighter, trying to appear confident.Nathaniel stood at the front of the crowd, his eyes fixed on some point ahead. His jaw was clenched, his muscles tense. I felt guilty. He probably thinks I am some unappreciative bitch who, despite trying to make me feel alright, still doesn't succeed because of my stubbornness.I glanced around, taking in the atmosphere. The oak tree towered above us, i
~Eleanor~“You don't learn, huh? You need to be taught a lesson.” Another slap resounded on his face. I was taken aback. Nathan's reaction had already stunned me, and Nadia wasn't making it look any easier. I felt scared. What if word gets out that the mighty Alpha of the Twilight Pack is defensive when it comes to me? Wouldn't that mean I've successfully become his weakness? Wouldn't that expose me to a whole lot of danger? No, that's not what I want. “Nate… I…”“Did he touch you?” he suddenly asked. I was tongue-tied; I didn't want this matter to escalate.“Yes, he did. He held onto her shoulders and both arms and tried to nestle on her chest.” Nadia responded before I dismissed his words. I shut my eyes, wishing I could shut her up. Why did she get involved? She isn't me who was asked right?Nate growled, and before being told, the big guy was single-handedly lifted by Edward and thrown over his shoulders.“Call for a pack meeting. Let no one be absent. Immediately.” Nathaniel ord