Isabella's POV:"Finally!" I screamed inwardly.Today was the day. My eighteenth birthday, and the day of the Mating Ceremony.A giddy thrill shot through me as I sat before the mirror, watching as my maid, Mae, braided my long golden locks. "I can't believe it’s finally happening," I said breathlessly. "Tonight, I might find my mate! Can you imagine, Mae? The Moon Goddess has already chosen someone for me. Someone meant just for me!"Mae chuckled. "I've never seen you this excited before, my lady. You always complained about the rules of the Pack, but now you’re eager for the one tradition you can't escape."I swatted her playfully. "Oh, hush! You know why I want this. A mate means freedom, Mae. It means leaving this house, escaping my father and Helen." I paused, then added in a whisper, "It means never having to be alone again."Mae's smile softened, and she nodded knowingly. She understood more than anyone what it was like living in this house under their ruleAs she weaved pearl
Isabella's POV:I didn’t sleep all night. I couldn’t.No matter how many times I tossed and turned, Enzo’s words haunted me, refusing to let me rest. I replayed the conversation over and over, trying to convince myself that maybe I had misunderstood him. But deep down, I knew I didn't.Enzo was in love with me.Not as a brother and not as a protector. But as a man.I pulled my knees to my chest and stared at the ceiling, my mind drifting, as it often did, to my mother.Who abandoned me when I was a baby. I had no memories of her—only rumors and the disgusted looks people gave me whenever they spoke about her. My father… Well, he never let me forget how much of a disappointment I was."A daughter of a whore," He once spat at me, his cold, gray eyes filled with disgust.I spent my whole life being unwanted, ignored, and barely acknowledged. Except when it was convenient for others. And then Helen came along—my father’s wife. She hated me more than he did. Treated me like I was filth. M
Isabella's POV:The room spun, and walls were closing in. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.Asher was dead.Just like that.I don’t remember falling. One moment, I was standing, waiting for someone to tell me it was all a joke, that Asher was fine and on his way. The next, the world spun, my legs gave out, and everything went black.When I opened my eyes again, I wasn’t in my room. The scent of herbs and firewood told me I was in the healer’s quarters. Enzo was beside me, his hand resting over mine. I yanked my hand away like his touch burned me. He flinched.“You scared me, Isabella,” He murmured. “You collapsed so suddenly.”I didn’t answer. Helen’s voice reached my ears. “It’s a bad omen for a bride to lose her groom.”I turned my head slowly and saw her standing by the doorway, arms crossed, wearing the same smug expression she always had when I was suffering.Bad omen? I wanted to scream at her, rip her to shreds. But what was the point? Asher was dead. I had nothing le
Isabella's POV:I died. I remember dying.I remember the dagger slicing through my flesh, the way my body crumpled, my blood soaking into the floor. I remember Enzo’s scream, his trembling hands trying to hold onto me.I remember the darkness closing in, swallowing me whole.And yet…When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in the abyss.I was staring at a mirror.A familiar mirror.I blinked rapidly, as my reflection stared back at me, but something was wrong. The blood—where is the blood? “Isabella, are you even listening to me?”I turned toward the voice, my heart hammering against my ribs. Mae stood behind me, her fingers weaving through my hair, humming as she styled it.This can't be possible, this isn't real.“You’ve been so quiet today,” Mae mused. “It’s your 18th birthday! You should be smiling! What if you find your mate tonight? Oh, imagine how magnificent that would be!”18th birthday?No. That was weeks ago.My voice trembled as I whispered, “What day is it?”Mae paused, her fing
CONFUSED BUT NOT CONVINCED. Isabella pov I stood there like a statue, alpha Asher of my past life is a triplet in the present. The moon goddess is good at crafting a confused future for me. “What's the issue mate, you look surprised?” One of the brothers asked, his voice laced with concern as he stared at me. I chuckled weakly, caressing my hair, a sudden hotness enveloped my body. I'm fine, let's just go in. I forced a smile, trying to brush off the shock that had frozen me in place. The brothers exchanged a look, their eyes crinkling at the corners as they studied me with concern. One of them, the one who had spoken earlier, took a step forward, his voice laced with warmth. "Hey, seriously, are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost," he said, his eyes scanning my face. I laughed again, the sound coming out a bit stronger this time. "I'm fine, really. Just a little...surprised," I said, my voice trailing off as I gestured vaguely towards them. The brothers nodded, b
AN ENEMY FROM MY PAST LIFE. Isabella pov I snuggled deeper into the king-size bed, feeling the warmth of the duvet envelop me like a cocoon. The softness of the mattress and the gentle hum of the air conditioner lulled me into a peaceful slumber. But my rest was short-lived. The sound of a loud, boisterous voice pierced the air, jolting me awake. "Common girl, you didn't tell me you've found your mate!" Mae's voice was like a slap in the face, and I sat up with a start, my heart racing. How did she find me here? I thought, my mind foggy with sleep. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the haze. Mae's face came into focus, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of mischief. She tossed a nylon bag onto my face, and I pulled it off groggily. "Mae, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice husky from sleep. Mae plopped down beside me on the bed, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I've been trying to reach you for hours, but no one picked up. Finally, one of the alphas ans
NEW FAMILY Isabella pov “I'm leaving.” I suddenly announced to Alpha Asher, standing by the door handle, my face frowning a little. “No, you can't leave, at least stay a little longer, you've been down for a while now.He replied, walking closer to me while pocketing his phone. ‘Okay, I will let the carriage driver take you home.” He said barely above a whisper, I bowed my head, avoiding a direct contact with him. “Nevermind, alpha, I can find my way home.” I stood by the door, my hand grasping the handle as I announced my departure, trying to sound nonchalant despite the turmoil brewing inside me. Alpha Asher's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing as he replied, "No, you can't leave, at least stay a little longer, you've been down for a while now." His words were laced with concern, but there was an underlying tone that made me wonder if he was genuinely worried about my well-being or just didn't want me to leave his side. As he walked closer, his movements fluid and
STUCK ON A RECORD Asher povI raised an eyebrow, studying Mason's profile as he continued to stare at his phone, a soft smile playing on his lips. The warmth in his voice was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. "She acts weird sometimes," I repeated, shifting uncomfortably on the couch. Mason's gaze didn't waver from the screen, but I knew he was listening."What do you mean?" he asked absently, his fingers scrolling through his messages.I shrugged, though he wasn't looking at me. "Just that...she seems distant, sometimes. Like she's not fully present." Mason's eyes flicked up to mine, a hint of intrigue sparking in their depths."What did you notice?" he asked, his voice a little more focused now.I leaned back into the couch, steepling my fingers together. "She acts like she's not seeing us for the first time. Like we're...familiar or something." Mason's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded slowly."I noticed that too," he said, his voice low. "It's
Isabella pov I took slow, deliberate steps back toward Mae, my gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that felt electric. Inside, a tempest of emotions swirled: anxiety, excitement, guilt. Her weak giggle tried to mask her distress, but the slight tremor of her lips revealed the truth. I could see it in her eyes—she was scared to be left behind, and I felt a pang of sorrow for her, mixed with my own conflicting desires. A part of me yearned to stay with her, yet my heart raced at the prospect of leaving for entirely different reasons. As I drew closer, I noticed the shimmer of tears pooling in her eyes. The moment seemed to stretch as she breathed my name—"Isabella..." Her voice wavered, breaking like fragile glass. Suddenly, the dam broke, and she erupted into desperate sobs. I turned fully to face her, my heart aching at the sight of her anguish, my expression softening instinctively. Without a moment's hesitation, I dropped my bag, its contents jostling inside, and wrapped he
Thalia pov The maid's giggles abruptly stopped, and she looked at me with a mixture of fear and apology. But before she could respond, the door was pushed open, and my big brother, Enzo, strode in. His wide gaze scanned the room, taking in the scattered clothes and half-packed bags. His hand clutched the door handle tightly as if anchoring himself to reality."What's going on here?" he asked, his deep voice booming and authoritative as it reverberated off the walls. His intense gaze landed on me, and I could see the shadows of fury darkening his features. "You're not going anywhere, Thalia," he growled, the tension in the room thickening with each word. His anger was almost palpable, crackling in the air like electricity.Despite the storm brewing in his eyes, I refused to be intimidated. I squared my shoulders, standing firm with my arms defiantly crossed over my chest. A smirk played at the corners of my lips as I replied, "Oh, really? And who exactly do you think you are to stop m
Thalia povI glared at the clumsy maid, my eyes narrowing into slits as annoyance bubbled up inside me like a pot about to boil over. She was fumbling with my carefully curated makeup kit, each dropped item setting my teeth on edge. “Pack them, you moron!” I barked, my voice cutting through the air like a whip. I snapped my fingers sharply, directing not just her but the other maids who were in the midst of packing my bags. They were meant to have everything organized and ready before I even set foot out of bed, yet here they were, wasting precious time like amateurs.The maid's eyes widened with fear, and she frantically scrambled to gather the scattered tubes and compacts, her hands shaking. But before she could even rise fully to her feet, I was already marching towards her like an impending storm, my heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. “You,” I said, jabbing a finger at her as my voice dripped with venom, “get back to work and pack my things properly. And you,” I tu
Asher pov I clapped my hand against my forehead, feeling the lingering warmth of the couch seep into my skin. "Isabella," I whispered, a broad smile unfurling across my face as her image filled my mind. It felt like an eternity since I last saw her, and my thoughts were consumed by memories of her bright, infectious smile and her laughter that could light up even the dullest days. With a surge of urgency, I stood up, my feet instinctively carrying me toward the window. I pulled back the curtain, allowing the brilliant sun to flood the room, casting golden rays that danced across the walls. The melodious chirping of birds outside filled the air, amplifying my sense of excitement and anticipation. That’s when I heard the guard’s voice announcing her arrival. "Isabella!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding in my chest, filled with exhilaration. As the doorknob turned slowly, I rushed to the door, swinging it open wide. "Isabella!" I called out, wrapping my arms around her small frame in
Isabella pov"Don’t tell me to lie about your whereabouts, Isabella! I don't even know where you're coming from!” Mae’s voice echoed angrily off the walls, her sharp tone resembling a reprimand rather than a plea.I had just stepped out of Rufus's building, making my way through the bustling streets toward the south side, where I lived with my parents. The journey had been more than just a physical one; it was accompanied by a whirlwind of thoughts and discoveries about my district that lingered in my mind. Despite my efforts to investigate, we hadn’t uncovered the elusive book Rufus had mentioned.As I settled onto a weathered wooden bench, I kept my gaze locked on Mae, who stood a few feet away, her body tense and fists clenched in frustration. The space between us felt heavy, and her anger was palpable as she paced, a whirlwind of emotion."Talk to me, friend," she finally implored, her tone shifting from fiery to a softer, more pleading melody. With a reluctant snicker escaping my
Enzo povI walked majestically, the glass of wine still clutched in my fist, my eyes scanning the crowd for a glimpse of Asher. My sister's infatuation with him was almost comical, but I had a different agenda. I wanted to see if the Alpha was still as weak as I remembered or if he'd grown some spine since our last encounter. My lips curled into a menacing smile as I giggled to myself, the sound barely audible but laced with mockery.Just then, a lady with fiery red hair waved at me, her soprano voice echoing through the crowds. "Hello Alpha, you look handsome." I smiled back at her, my eyes still searching for Thalia. At least my little sister had an "in" with Asher, given her apparent crush on him.As I made my way through the throngs of people, I spotted Thalia laughing and clinking glasses with Kelly, one of the pack members I'd specifically warned to stay away from my sister. My instincts kicked in, and I strode towards them, my long legs eating up the distance. Kelly's eyes flic
Isabella povI stood up, letting the weight of my thoughts press down on my chest as I held my breath for a moment, then slowly released it. It was infuriating that everyone seemed to know the details of my past, yet no one had the answers I desperately needed. Rufus, the stranger I had met just a few hours earlier, was attempting to help me. I moved closer to his table, my hand lightly resting on its surface as I watched him crouched down, rummaging through the disarray of bookshelves.“Don't worry, Isabella,” he said, his voice steady in spite of the chaos surrounding us. “I will find the book that explains how to retrieve your mate's memories after being reborn.” He hesitated, his expression faltering, and I could see a flicker of pain cross his face as a sharp edge from one of the shelves penetrated his hand.“Oh, moon goddess!” I exclaimed, rushing to his side. My eyes widened as I noticed blood steadily dripping from the wound, pooling onto the floor beneath him. I scanned the r
Thalia pov I stood frozen for a moment, my mind reeling from the four words that had just changed everything: "I have a mate." Asher's words echoed in my head, but my reaction didn't match the situation. Instead of backing off, a spark ignited within me. I knew he wasn't mine, but the challenge was too enticing to ignore. I will surely make him mine. With newfound determination, I pushed aside the lingering thoughts of our encounter and focused on finding my brother, Enzo. The vibrant party scene around me was a blur as I scanned the crowd, my heels clicking on the pavement. The music pulsed through the air, but I wasn't here to dance or have fun – not yet, at least. I had to find Enzo. As I navigated through the sea of people, a carefree couple twirling to the music caught my attention. They were lost in their own world, oblivious to everything else. Too lost, it seemed, because they almost collided with me. "Hey, watch it!" I warned, my voice sharp enough to cut through the mus
Asher povI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks as I gazed at my reflection. The black tuxedo my brothers had picked out for me fit perfectly, accentuating my broad shoulders and lean physique. I smirked, feeling like a million bucks. The sound of a knock at the door broke my reverie, and I strode over to open it."About time you got dressed," I said, swinging the door open to reveal my brothers, Demian, and Mason, standing in the hallway, looking dapper in their own tuxedos. Demian's eyes sparkled with amusement as he handed me a black bow tie."You're wearing this," he said, his voice firm but playful. "No arguments."I raised an eyebrow, taking the bow tie from him. "You know I'm perfectly capable of tying my own tie, right?"Mason chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, we brought your shoes, and Demian's been practising his shoe-tying skills."Demian shot Mason a mock-glare. "Hey, I'm a master shoe-tier now."I laughe