LOGINAlpha Bran's POV As the night deepened, the festivities became livelier. Music echoed across the territory. Bonfires burned brightly.Pack members danced and celebrated underneath the lantern-filled sky.For the first time in years, Dark Mountain was this lively and was at peace. No threats. And wars. Just happiness. And celebrating with family. I stood near the edge of the central courtyard watching the celebration when Aric approached me.Clara stood nearby speaking with the pack girls that were her age.I noticed how Aric looking at Clara and what she was doing softened his expression instantly.Then he followed my gaze and sighed. "Don't."I looked toward him. "What?""You have that look on your face.""What look?""The one that says you're about to say something ridiculous about me and Clara.""You and Clara? Why do you think so? What relationship do you have with her?"Aric snorted. "Never mind."It was becoming quite obvious that Aric and Clara were hiding something from me.
Alpha Bran's POVI couldn't take my eyes off my mate the rest of the evening.The New Moon Celebration continued around us with all the noise and excitement it brought every year, but my attention kept returning to the same person.She was smiling again. The kind of smile that reached her eyes and made her face light up.The kind of smile I would do anything to keep and protect."Can you not look at her for once?" Lupin's voice interrupted my thoughts.I growled, hating the nuisance.But continued watching Serafine from where she stood near one of the food stalls speaking with Clara and the pack women."I wasn't aware looking at my mate was a crime." I muttered.Lupin nearly choked. Bane, standing beside him, looked equally shocked. Slowly, both Gammas turned toward me.At that point, I wished I could take back what I said because the expressions on their faces were dangerous."Did you hear that?" Lupin whispered dramatically.Bane nodded. "I heard it.""I don't think I've ever heard
Serafine's POVThe moment Bran took my hand, every teasing thought disappeared from my head.The laughter. The embarrassment. The amusement from tormenting him about the list of activities he would do in the festival vanished.Because his fingers had intertwined with mine so naturally that my heart forgot how to beat.For a moment, I simply stared at our joined hands. I couldn’t take my eyes off his strong fingers. Warm skin and a firm yet gentle grip.Yet somehow it felt more intimate than anything else. Perhaps because this was Bran.The same Bran who once struggled to express even the smallest emotion. The same Bran who had spent months building walls around himself.And now he was standing in the middle of the New Moon Festival holding my hand without caring who saw.The realization made my chest warm. His thumb brushed lightly across my knuckles.My heart betrayed me. I was hopeless.Bran glanced down at me. His winter gray eyes softened."What are you thinking about?"I blinked.
Serafine’s POV "The mating dance." I screamed.Bran nodded, smiling at me.Every year during the New Moon Festival, mated couples participated in the traditional dance. It wasn't mandatory. But it was considered one of the most important parts of the celebration.It was a symbol of unity. Partnership. And devotion. Both to the pack and to your partner.I swallowed hard, suddenly becoming nervous.Bran peered down, his eyes on me. "You don't have to dance."I looked up at him. "What? Why?""You seem not comfortable with it."The sincerity in his voice touched me deeply.Months ago, Bran would have simply assumed I would follow. Now he was giving me a choice. Respecting my feelings. Thinking about my comfort.The realization warmed my chest.I smiled. "I want to."Relief. Happiness. And love. All flashed through his eyes at once. Then he held out his hand.My heart fluttered.The gesture felt ridiculously romantic. And judging by the faint redness appearing on Bran's ears, he knew it t
Alpha Bran’s POV I heard someone whistle. Then another from a different corner. Pack members nearby had noticed her too.My wolf instantly became possessive. ‘Mine.’ The growl echoed through my head. It got worse when I noticed several unmated males were staring at her.Lupin noticed the swift change in my expression. His grin widened mischievously. "Oh.""What?" I barked."Nothing." His smile grew wider. "It's just that… you look murderous."I looked back toward the crowd. A young warrior still had his eyes fixed on my mate. My jaw tightened.The idiot was even smiling.My wolf looked ready to commit homicide."Bran." Bane's voice sounded strained.I turned to look at him. He was trying not to laugh. So was Lupin.‘He's going to scare everyone away with your face.’ Bane mindlinked. ‘You have to control yourself. They are just staring. No one would dare talk to her knowing who she is to you.’I sighed, unconvinced. But turned forward to look at my mate. And in that moment, her ey
Alpha Bran's POVThe New Moon Celebration arrived way sooner than I was prepared for. Not that I would ever admit that out loud. The problem wasn't the festival itself. The problem was Serafine.I had not seen her since Clara kidnapped her two days ago, saying it was for the festival preparations.Despite having a large pack to lead, piles of reports to review, border disputes to resolve, and a territory to protect, my thoughts kept drifting toward her.It was becoming a serious problem. One that Bane and Lupin refused to let me ignore."Our Alpha has been reading the same page for one hour now." Bane muttered.I didn't look up from the report in front of me."I can hear you."Lupin snorted. I raised my eyes to look at him. Both Gammas were standing near my desk looking so entertained."What do you want?" I asked them.Lupin pointed at the document in my hand. "What's the third line?"I glanced down. Then paused. Because I didn't know.Damn it.Lupin's grin widened. "I knew it."I to
Serafine's POV Beta Aric had told me that Alpha Bran was in the hospital. My mind became numb upon hearing the news and I wanted to rush to the hospital and check upon him, but then why should I? He reminded me in every interaction we had that I was nothing and a nobody compared to his darling pr
Saskia’s POV The name Elder Larkin flashed across my phone screen as I scrolled through several posts on my Instagram handle. My stomach tightened. I straightened, schooling my face before answering. “Hello, grand uncle.”“Saskia,” he said in a rush, “Tell me the rumors I’m hearing are false.”M
Serafine's POVI looked up at Bran's sleeping face. He had just given me another mind-blowing orgasm. I laughed myself in my head for being reluctant and scared when he started, only to enjoy it later. Although I was scared that he would force me. He didn't. This was our second time of intimacy an
Alpha Bran’s POV No other wolf dared to come between the fight of two Alphas. They formed a circle around us as if waiting for one of us to die. It was good that I faced this situation. I would kill Jace today and then claim his territory as mine."What have you done to Saskia?" I hissed"I don't







