Talia’s POV
I stood by the window, staring down at the garden that used to be mine.
Now it reeked of lavender and other flowers that Viki thought was more elegant. Her scent coated every stone path and flower bed: an invasive putrid scent of jasmine and smugness.
My wolf growled low in the back of my mind. ‘You shouldn’t have allowed this. She defiled our territory.’
‘It’s just a garden,’ I sighed and swallowed the bitterness.
Even though I wanted to ignore the situation, my wolf was right. I should have challenged her on the spot and made her submit to me, but deep down I knew there was no point. Viki would have her way no matter what I did. If she told Jason to help, I would have no chance to win.
Viki had taken my mate, my bed, and my garden. What was going to be next?
Ever since Viki had moved into the Alpha’s residence, Jason hadn’t spent a single night with me. He went to be with her instead.
He betrayed the mate bond night after night not caring about the pain, he was putting me through.
Still, some deluded part of me clung to the hope that I still had a place in his heart.
Maybe once the pup was born, he would come to his senses.
Maybe he would treat Viki like a breeder, and he would come back to me.
After all, I was still Luna.
Viki couldn’t take that from me.
I went to the kitchen mid-morning, needing tea. I needed something to soothe my sore body after another sleepless night. Viki was there, draped over a stool like a lounging cat in heat. I groaned in frustration as she was not who I wanted to see first in the morning.
Viki’s robe hung open enough to make any unmated wolf turn his head and stare. Her bare legs were crossed, revealing skin she had no shame showing like the whore she was.
My nose twitched before I even saw it. The scent of her blood, from a fresh bite.
I froze.
There, on the curve of her neck, was a mate mark. The flesh was still raw, slightly raised. My stomach dropped.
My wolf bristled. ‘He didn’t, did he? Tell me he didn’t,’ she growled.
“Did... did Alpha mark you?” I asked, voice tight.
Viki smiled, baring her teeth in triumph. “Oh, this?” She tilted her head, so I could see the mark better. “Yes, last night, he was like a wild animal. He just couldn’t help himself.”
My gut twisted and my blood chilled. This wasn’t just lust. Their relationship wasn’t something that had just happened to produce an heir like Jason wanted me to believe.
A mark meant claiming.
A bond.
“He said I smelled irresistible,” Viki added, stroking the edge of the wound. “Said he couldn’t stand the thought of another male even looking at me. You know how possessive Alpha can be.”
“Don’t let it go to your head. You’re nothing but an incubator,” I said through gritted teeth.
Viki leaned forward. Her voice was laced with cruelty. “Alpha told me I am on a level with Luna. It makes sense after all, I’m the one carrying his pup.”
My wolf paced inside me, snarling, ‘Tear her face off. Do it now!’ I took a calming breath and stepped backward from her. Viki smirked seeing my distress.
“Don’t tell me, you’re surprised Talia,” Viki said while playing with a lock of her hair.
“I am surprised that you’re utterly shameless,” I snapped.
“You knew this day was coming, Talia. I was raised by my father to be Luna, and now you should just bow out with grace,” Viki whispered with a bright smile.
“Don’t fool yourself, Viki. That mark means nothing but that you’re a thieving whore. There is only one Luna in this pack and that’s me,” I said through gritted teeth.
Viki flinched but then laughed, “For now, but let’s wait and see.”
“I don’t have time for your little games, Viki.”
I turned to leave, afraid of what I might do if I stayed in the same room with her.
Then I heard it.
A sharp, theatrical cry followed by a heavy thud.
I turned just in time to see Viki throw herself to the ground; her hand clutched around her swollen stomach. She smirked at me as she began to cry.
I froze.
Viki screamed again, louder this time. “Talia, why did you push me? Why are you trying to hurt the heir?”
“What?! I didn’t touch you! You…” I snapped.
Jason burst through the door, eyes glowing, his wolf close to the surface. His scent burned with fury as he glared at me with hatred.
“What the hell did you do to her?!” he barked.
Nolan’s POVI watched Talia walk away. I rubbed a hand over my face. I should go back to my room and take more of the herbs. Maybe they could dull the noise in my head.'That won’t fix anything,' my wolf growled. 'You drove her away, and now you’re going to reject her? If you do, I’ll never forgive you.'“I had to,” I muttered. “It’s better this way.”'Better for whom? You or her?' my wolf growled.I didn’t answer.Even now, I could still feel the faint pulse of our bond. We were her second mates, but she was our only one. It must mean something, and yet, here I am trying to ignore it.I thought about what would happen after the Sacrifice Ceremony. The Alpha King would stand before the gathered Alphas, praising the Moon Goddess, and then, he’d choose a mate for his daughter. He’d pick someone with a strong lineage, a political advantage. It would be someone to strengthen his alliances. The idea of another man touching her caused irrational rage.'You have no reason to be upset. You ag
Talia’s POVDella and I trained on the south practice grounds after breakfast. We started with simple combinations to warm up and then moved into defensive drills. I focused on my footing and kept my guard up. Without my wolf, I had to rely on technique.“Good,” she said, circling me. “Again. Elbow higher on the block. You drop it when you pivot.”I adjusted and repeated the move. The strike landed square on the padded post. Della nodded with approval.“You’re still a strong fighter,” she said. “You just have to work harder until your wolf returns.”I caught my breath and rolled my wrists. “Harder is fine. I just need to get used to this being my new normal.”“Don’t get too comfortable with it. Your wolf will be back in no time. If not before, then after the ceremony. Once you find your mate and complete the bond, she’ll come back. You know that,” Della said.“I know, I know. That’s what the doctor keeps saying,” I said.“We have records and elders who have lived through this,” Della
Jason’s POVThis was wrong.I had Henry send the wine back to Shadowclaw for testing. It was the same toxin. How could it not be lethal?Father, as stunned as I was, finally found his voice and said, “Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding. My son saw Alpha Nolan poison the wine himself. He wouldn’t lie about that.”“It’s true,” I said. “The sample we sent confirmed that the wine contained traces of a toxin identical to what was found in the mad rogues’ blood samples.”Nolan laughed and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Care to enlighten us on what is so funny?”“Inadequacy must be an inherited trait,” Nolan answered. I could feel my father’s aura flare briefly before he composed himself.“Your taunts won’t save you, boy,” Father said.“I just find it interesting that you know so much about the rogues’ blood, perhaps you’ve spent more time with them than I ever did,” Nolan said.“Watch your tongue, boy. It is you who is on trial,” Father snapped.Before the argument could escalat
Jason’s POVLunch with Father was usually quiet, but today he seemed almost pleased. It unnerved me how happy he was. ‘Enjoy the moment while it lasts,’ my wolf said, and I couldn’t help but agree. We had barely started eating when a firm knock came at the door. Beta Logan entered and bowed. “Alpha Jason. Elder Michael. The Alpha King has requested your presence in his office at noon,” he said.Father took a sip of his orange juice and asked, “For what reason?”“The King said he’s reached a conclusion regarding Alpha Nolan’s poisoning case,” Logan explained.“Understood,” Father said, his voice smooth. “You may tell the King we’ll be there.”Logan nodded and said, "Of course."As soon as the door closed, Father smiled and said, “It seems the King finally came to his senses.”“Honestly, I had expected the Alpha King to execute Nolan once we revealed the report. Better late than never,” I responded.Father leaned back in his chair. “With Nolan gone, Blood Moon will be in chaos and wil
Talia’s POVI went to the dungeon not long after speaking with my father and Solon. When I reached the lower cells, two guards stood by the heavy door. They stepped aside when I approached, clearly father had told them in advance to let me in.Inside, Nolan sat on a bench with his back against the wall. He had leaned back on the stone wall. His eyes were closed, but I knew he wasn't sleeping.“I thought you’d be the last person to visit,” he said. He opened his eyes and met my gaze.“Just because I think you’re a jerk doesn’t mean I want you imprisoned unjustly,” I stated.“Well then, what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, Princess?” Nolan asked.“I came because I wanted to talk to you and ask you what the hell you were doing," I replied. My voice is much louder than I intended.Nolan studied me quietly, surprised by the sudden outburst. “Do you believe Jason and Michael?”“I believe in evidence,” I replied.Nolan stared at me before scoffing. He let out a humorless laugh. “Of c
Talia’s POVNolan’s grip on the dagger tightened but he did not have the murderous glint in his eyes like he did with the rogues. Nolan really didn’t want to harm Solon if he didn’t have to. “I said, put it away!" my father's voice boomed, causing me to flinch.Nolan slowly lowered the blade and backed away from Solon. He sheathed it and stepped back. The guards quickly surrounded him. “You have crossed every line tonight, Nolan. Until I know what truly happened, you are no longer free to walk this pack’s grounds," Father said.“Are you ordering me to the dungeon?” Nolan asked. His voice was low and cold. His body was tense as if he was ready to fight. His aura flared throughout the room, almost as oppressive as my father’s.“Yes,” Father said firmly. “Beta Logan will escort you there. You’ll stay until I decide what to do with you.”“You think that dungeon will stop me?” Nolan scoffed. Then, he smirked. It wasn’t the type that would have made my heart flutter, but it made a chill c