ASTRID'S POV.A light yawn escaped my lips as soon as I opened my eyes. I rolled around in bed, a smile stretching across my face as I recalled the previous night.โDane?โ I called out, but he wasn't in bed and didn't seem to be in the bathroom either. I immediately grew worried. Why wasn't he around?Did it perhaps have something to do with our night together? Did he think it was a mistake? Did he wake up only to regret sharing the same bed with me?All sorts of negative thoughts seeped into my mind, but I knew I needed to gather every positive mindset I could muster. I waited for a few more minutes in bed, my eyes lingering on the door, hoping he would come in at any moment, but nothing happened.Soon, I became restless and scared. I couldn't wait anymore. I deserved an explanation. Why on earth would he sleep with me just to ghost me? I didn't do anything wrong, as far as I recalled. I needed to set some facts straight.I pushed myself off the bed and stood on my feet. My eyes ling
CAMILLA'S POV.โHow much longer do we have to wait for her? She might not be interested; we can't keep postponing the event just for her.โ I argued with a scowl, but Mrs. Safiya remained unwavering. She was beginning to irritate me; why was she always doing special favours for Astrid?She wouldnโt delay by a minute if I was the one who ran late, but since it was her most esteemed, beloved daughter, there was nothing she could do but wait, and it was certainly beginning to annoy me.โWe will wait for one more hour; we both know she's the main reason for this ceremony. We canโt just start without her. If we do, it means...โ She stopped halfway through her words. I understood what she meant; we both did, and it only made me more furious.โOne more hour, and if she doesnโt get here, we will know what to do,โ she added before rising to her feet.โLuna Safiya, this is absolutely unfair!โ I shouted, my voice trembling with frustration. โThis is the sixth time youโve extended the wait by an
ASTRID'S POV.Dane and I both got out of the car. As we walked, I noticed that several people passing by seemed to be staring at me. Their whispered conversations only added to my confusion. I couldnโt shake the feeling that something was off.Was I late? What kind of trick was Camilla trying to pull now? She always had so many schemes, and it was starting to really frustrate me.I walked across the grounds and entered the main hall. Inside, everyone was focused on Camilla. She had a sly, mischievous look in her eyes that immediately made me uneasy. I could tell that look meant trouble.โLet the rites begin!โ she announced with a wide smile.โNot so fast!โ I shouted sharply, cutting through her announcement. Her face flushed with sweat and her composure cracked, revealing her growing stress and confusion.I watched with satisfaction as her confident smile gradually turned into a deep frown, quickly replaced by sheer fear.โAstrid... How are you here? How is this even possible? You sho
CAMILLA'S POV.โWhat was that about?โ Halfdan demanded, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief as he glared at me. The intensity of his gaze made it clear that he was struggling to understand what had just transpired. I swallowed hard, feeling the heat of both fury and humiliation rising within me. My mind was filled with raw emotions; rage, jealousy, and pain all colliding in a storm of confusion. I forced myself to maintain a frown, struggling to keep my composure amidst the anger I felt.As the emotions boiled over, my face flushed a deep red. I could barely think straight; the haze of anger clouded my judgement. I was consumed by a fierce need to exact revenge for the humiliation I felt, my thoughts fixated on retaliating against Astrid.โTell me, what exactly are you up to?โ Halfdan pressed again, his grin now tainted with a mix of derision and curiosity. His relentless questioning only served to aggravate me further, making me feel like he was deliberately antagonising me.
CAMILLIA'S POVMy eyes were fixed on the grave in front of me. I felt a deep sense of suffocation and frustration that I had never experienced before; even in death, he continued to infuriate me.In a burst of anger, I shouted loudly, "Damn it!" and kicked the edge of the gravestone with all my might. I grabbed the bouquet of flowers that had been left there and threw them harshly onto the ground, crushing them beneath my feet as I stomped on them.I felt a profound sense of betrayal. Everyone had mocked me, and they had all watched as she made a fool of me, but not one person had bothered to come over and hear my side of the story or offer any comfort. Instead, they all seemed to have ample time to visit this grave and lay flowers as if nothing had happened."You couldn't keep your nose out of things, could you?" I shouted into the empty space, hoping that his ghost was nearby and could hear the depth of my anger and frustration.โYou had to give the pack to her, didn't you?โ I roare
CAMILIA'S POV.Throughout the entire night, Halfdan remained completely silent, and didn't utter a single word to me at least. His silence troubled me deeply; I couldn't shake the fear that he might have followed me and witnessed the encounter I had with the man earlier. As the hours dragged on, I began to understand that his cold demeanour was driven by his feelings for Astrid. Just thinking about it filled me with intense frustration and anger. When morning arrived, I had hoped that Halfdan would break his silence and engage in conversation with me, but every attempt to communicate with him failed. It became clear that no matter what I did, he remained steadfast in his refusal to speak. I realised that it wasnโt worth my effort to keep trying; I would have to wait and see how long he could maintain this stubborn silence.I sighed with exasperation as I watched Halfdan slowly approach the car and carefully sit down in the seat. When he finally looked up to meet my gaze, I felt
ASTRID'S POVโWhere am I?โ I asked, my voice coming out in a strained whisper as I slowly parted my lips. Camilla was by my side, supporting me. I kept drawing in deep breaths, too afraid to open my eyes for fear that the pain might intensify. I wanted to flinch but fought to remain still.โWhere am I? Where did you bring me?โ I repeated, my voice tinged with panic as I felt her move closer.โIโll get Dane for you,โ she said, her voice soft but firm before she stood up and moved away. I reached out towards her, but my limbs felt heavy and unresponsive.Every muscle in my body seemed to be paralyzed, a numbness spreading through me. I felt a growing sense of being dragged into darkness. I squeezed my eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the overwhelming sensations as I drifted into unconsciousness.I was jolted awake by a nauseating churn in my stomach, my eyes snapping open. The immediate need to vomit hit me like a wave, and I groaned in pain and frustration. I attempted t
ASTRID'S POV.โI can't hold it in any longer, Alphaโฆ Have me,โ I whispered, adjusting the sleeves of my dress to draw him in. Alpha Dane hesitated for a moment, but then when Beta Ivar moved closer Alpha Dane immediately gestured for him to leave the room. With a nod, Dane returned my kiss the second he did.โDonโt go easy; I want you badly,โ I murmured as he hovered over me. A grin spread across his face as he parted my legs and rubbed my clit, causing my legs to shudder in response to his touch.โYouโre so wet,โ he said, slurring his words. He dropped to his knees and buried himself between my legs. I felt the wetness of his tongue against the wetness of my skin as he teased it slowly.His tongue ran along my clit as he sucked on it. With his arms, he held my legs wide apart while I massaged my nipples, my moans filling the room. He pulled away from my clit and swallowed hard as he rubbed his other finger against it slowly. At first, he was gentle, but he picked up the pace, sl
Secrets OutAuthor's POVIt so happened that Alpha Hale, Dane's father, Mr. Han, and Alpha Safiya were best friendsโuntil Edmond came into the picture.They began having problems with each other until Mr. Han asked Edmond to kill Alpha Hale.Edmond refused, but Han was desperate. Han committed the murder himself but blamed Edmond. Edmond often acted like a jerk towards Dane Hale, his friend's son, whenever he recalled the past.He misses Alpha Hale, but that doesn't change the fact that he killed Astrid's mother to cover up his crimes. He did all of this to please Han and keep their secrets hidden.In the end, they all faced their downfall, except for Edmond, who remained alive. He will return from his slave trade, and guess who his next target is? Astrid's son, who is a Moon Healer!********Dear Readers,I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for taking the time to read my book. Your support, feedback, and encouragement mean the world to me, and itโs becau
Astrid's POV. I slowly pushed myself up from the bed, rubbing my eyes as I took in my surroundings. The room was quiet, and for a moment, loneliness washed over me like a cold wave.But then I turned to the window and saw Dane, his strong frame leaning against the sill. He cradled our baby, Hayden, in his arms. A smile crept across my face at the sight of them together. They looked perfect.โYou're awake late! We had plans for today, but you overslept,โ Dane teased as he walked over to me. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. The warmth of his affection spread through me, making me feel safe and loved.It had been a month since everything turned upside downโa month since the terrifying nightmare that almost took our lives. After escaping to the pack with Ethan, I had spent many sleepless nights, my mind racing with fears. I was terrified that Dane would sacrifice our child, that he wouldnโt care about us. But I was wrong.Dane would never hurt our baby. He and Ethan to
Halfdan's pov. (His End)The bottle of whiskey was cold in my hand, the burn of the liquid a distant sensation as it slid down my throat. I could barely feel it anymore, barely cared. All I could think of was her. Camilla. My mate. My cunning, twisted, evil mate.How did it come to this? The memories of that night still clawed at my mind, gnawing away until I felt like I might go insane. I closed my eyes, but the image of her face filled my headโthe way her eyes locked onto mine in those final moments, full of both fear and acceptance. She was in my arms, her body limp and lifeless, yet her lips had curled in that knowing smile. The same smile she had whenever she thought she had won.She had won.Even in death, she had won, taking the slash meant for me, falling in my place. She died in my arms, the blood soaking my hands, the life draining from her body while I could only watch. And no matter how much I told myself I hated her for all she'd done, for all the evil she brought to o
Halfdan's POV.I stood on the balcony, hands behind my back, staring up at the sky. I had felt off all night, but something about being out here shifted my mood. A small smile formed on my lips as I gazed at the red sky. It wasn't the death of an alpha; I wouldโve been invited if that were the case. No, this meant something elseโa moon healer had been born.How fortunate their parents were. A child with such a rare gift was both a blessing and a burden. The entire world would come for them, and I would have to protect that child. It was my duty. But deep down, I wished Iโd been given that choice, to have a child of my own to protect. I wanted it so badly, and I would die for my child if it came to that. But not everything in life goes the way we want it to.A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned my head toward the sound.โAlpha Halfdan!โ Drake shouted as he burst onto the balcony, panting heavily.โWhat is it now, Drake?โ I asked, rolling my eyes. I ha
DANE'S POV"Camilla," I called out, my voice firm. She didnโt even flinch, her cold, hard glare fixed on Astrid. Astrid, who looked exhausted and fragile. She had just given birth. She needed rest, not this. She shouldnโt be standing here, facing Camilla. All I could think was, โHave I ever done anything right?โ Ever since she came into my life, all Iโd done was cause her pain and worry. And now I had a son too. I couldnโt let this cruel fate fall on them both. They deserved peaceโ โthey deserved better than me.โCamilla took a step forward, her lips curling into a cruel smile. Her eyes locked onto the baby. My son. I stepped in front of Astrid, blocking her view."Iโm going to need the child," Camilla said, her voice dripping with malice. The smirk on her face widened, her eyes glowing with hatred.My jaw tightened, my body tense. "What makes you think Iโll give you my son?" I growled, glaring at her. But my words only made her smile bigger. She looked back at me with the same ch
DANE'S POVEight months had passed, and it felt like nothing had changed. Every morning, I woke up wondering if she still hated me as much as before. It bothered me. What was I supposed to do to make things right?She had been kidnapped and hospitalised so many times, and I knew my life was dangerous for her. To make things worse, she misunderstood something I said, thinking I would hurt our child. What did she think of me?That night, after I apologised again and again, she ran off. Even after almost being killed by Camilla, she didnโt stop. She must have cared about me, right? But then her mother died, and she left, probably thinking it was better to get hurt by someone else than by me.Now, sheโs back in the Fierce Claws pack. For eight months, Iโve known where sheโs been hiding. I watched over her, had guards keeping a close eye, though from a safe distance. I made sure she was protected, but I kept my distance too. If she wanted to be away from me, I wasnโt going to take that fro
ASTRID'S POVI panicked, trying to take another step, but the contractions were too strong. Tears filled my eyes as I whispered, โHelpโฆ pleaseโฆ someoneโฆโBut no one stopped. People walked past me, ignoring my pleas. No one knew who I was, and they didnโt care. I was invisible.โSee where avoiding me got you?โ Ethanโs voice came from behind me. I turned, and for the first time in my life, I was relieved to hear him.โLetโs get you somewhere safe,โ he said, grabbing my arm and guiding me toward his car. I didnโt fight him. I couldnโt. He helped me into the car, and we sped off.The pain was unbearable now. I tried to hold back my screams, but it was impossible. Each contraction was worse than the last. I was losing control.Ethan pulled up to a small cottageโnot a hospitalโbut it didnโt matter. โSomeone, help!โ he yelled as he carried me inside.An older man and two young women rushed over, guiding me to a bed. They set up quickly, and I knew it was almost time.Minutes passed, and I wa
ASTRID'S POVI woke up with a soft yawn, blinking my eyes open. For a moment, I stayed still, letting the calmness of my room sink in. The smell of antiseptic wasnโt there, and everything seemed normal. It was quiet. Peaceful.I ran my fingers through my hair, sitting up slowly. I was back home, tucked safely in bed, but the memories hit me hard. It all came rushing backโmy uncle, Camilla, and the knife. I almost died.But Dane saved me.Camilla had tried to kill me, but Dane stopped her. He apologized, kissed me, but I was too tired to care at that moment. I had spent the whole day running and crying. Exhausted from the fear and pain, I must have fallen asleep on the ride back.Looking out the window, I frowned. Something felt off. It was getting dark outside, and I had no idea how long Iโd been asleep. Where was Dane?I stretched and got out of bed, glancing around. The room felt empty. Dane shouldโve been here by now. I waited, pacing back and forth, but the door stayed closed. No
DANE'S POVBeta Ivar's words had taken me by surprise and struck me deeply, sending a wave of emotion crashing over me. It was someone I knew; the realization that the person responsible for my father's death wasnโt so far away sent a chill down my spine. Whoever it was had been within arm's length all along, silently watching my suffering unfold. Such great audacity.I had been drowning in despair for far too long, consumed by grief and confusion for reasons I now realized were unfounded. The thought of revenge simmered within me, but first, I needed to uncover the truth. Who on earth could it be? Who had the audacity to murder my father and continue to live among us, hidden in plain sight?But then, the Bluestone Packโwho could it possibly be? What motives could they have? The questions flooded my mind as I grappled with the enormity of it all. Why would they bring such tragedy to our doorstep? What on earth could have compelled someone from Astridโs pack to commit such a hei