LOGINThe morning sun hurt Elena's eyes as she forced herself out of bed. Every muscle screamed in protest, but she had to move. She had to start packing."Going somewhere?" Kyle's voice made her jump.He stood in her doorway with a breakfast tray, looking worried."You know I have to leave," Elena said quietly. "Dawn tomorrow.""I know what Damien said. Doesn't mean I agree with it." Kyle set the tray down harder than necessary. "Eat first. Then we'll figure out your next move.""There's nothing to figure out. I pack, I leave, I never come back.""Where will you go?"Elena shrugged. "Does it matter? Anywhere but here.""It matters to me." Kyle sat on her bed. "Elena, you can't just wander off with no plan. You're still weak from the rejection.""I'll manage.""No, you won't." His voice turned firm. "Look at me."She raised her eyes to his, surprised by the intensity she found there."I've already called my friend in the city," Kyle continued. "He runs a small motel. Nothing fancy, but it's
Elena woke up to pain. Not the sharp, stabbing kind from last night, but a deep, hollow ache that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once."You're finally awake," a gentle voice said.She turned her head slowly. An elderly woman sat beside her bed, wrinkled hands organizing medical supplies."Dr. Sarah?" Elena's voice came out as a croak."Here, drink this." The pack doctor helped her sit up and handed her a glass of water. "Small sips."The water felt like heaven on her raw throat. "How... how long have I been asleep?""Two days.""Two days?" Elena almost dropped the glass. "But I have to pack! Damien said I only have a week…""Shh, calm down." Dr. Sarah placed a weathered hand on Elena's shoulder. "You've been very ill. The rejection... it hit you harder than most.""Why?" Elena asked, though she wasn't sure she wanted to know.Dr. Sarah hesitated. "How can I explain this... When a true mate bond is rejected, it's like... like ripping a plant out by its roots. The deeper
The full moon hung heavy in the sky like a swollen wound, casting everything in shades of silver and shadow. Every member of the Silvermoon Pack had gathered in the ceremonial circle, their faces a mixture of anticipation and discomfort. They knew what was coming. Word travelled fast in a pack, and Damien had made sure everyone knew exactly what would happen tonight.Elena stood in the centre of the circle, her thin frame trembling despite the warm night air. She'd worn her only good dress, the navy one from their anniversary, though she didn't know why she'd bothered. Maybe some desperate part of her still hoped this was all a nightmare, that she'd wake up and find herself back in a world where mates actually loved each other.The crowd parted, and Damien strode through like a king approaching his throne. He wore all black, his powerful frame radiating the kind of authority that made wolves submit without question. Behind him walked Sophia, dressed in a flowing white dress that made
Morning sunlight filtered weakly through the curtains. Elena sat on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped so tightly that her knuckles turned white.The argument from the night before echoed in her mind. Every word. Every silence.She’d cried until dawn, and now her eyes burned, but all she could think was…maybe it’s not too late.“Maybe if I just… try again,” she whispered to herself. “If I’m calmer, kinder, he’ll listen this time.”Her reflection in the mirror looked pale, worn, and tired. But she forced a small, hopeful smile anyway. This is what good mates do. They fix things. They don’t give up.She picked out a soft blue dress and brushed her hair until it lay flat and neat. The colour reminded her of the early days of their bond, when Damien used to say her eyes looked like the morning sky.He hadn’t said that in years, but maybe tonight he would again.By evening, the pack house buzzed with noise. It was supposed to be a casual gathering…a celebration for new alliances but El
At the Pack meeting the next day, the meeting room smelled faintly of paper and polished wood. Long tables gleamed under bright lights, and the sound of low voices filled the air. Elena sat near the end of the row, her hands folded neatly in her lap, wishing she could disappear.The Luna Council meetings were supposed to make her feel important…respected, even…but instead, they only reminded her how small she felt.Across the table, the other high-ranking pack women spoke easily, their voices calm but commanding.“Security on the northern border is tightening,” one Luna said.“Our trade agreement with Crescent Moon needs review,” another added.They talked about finance, territory, defence-things Elena barely understood. She tried to keep up, tried to look interested, but every word felt like it floated above her head.Her gaze shifted toward Sophia.Sophia looked radiant even in something simple…a cream silk blouse, her long blonde hair cascading down her back. Every time she spoke,
Three years ago, Elena nearly died, and Damien wasn't there.The memory hit her as she lay alone in their bed, Damien's side still empty at 3 AM. She pressed a hand to her stomach, remembering the pain, the fear, the desperate loneliness of that night.The contractions had started suddenly, two weeks before her due date. Elena had been alone in the house, Damien away on "important pack business." She'd tried to call him, but his phone went straight to voicemail."Please," she'd gasped to the pack doctor as another contraction ripped through her. "Please call my mate. I need him."Dr. Reynolds had looked uncomfortable. "The Alpha is... unreachable at the moment, Luna. But you're doing great."She wasn't doing great. Her wolf was too weak to help with the birth, leaving Elena to face the agony with only her human strength. Hours passed. The pain grew worse. Something was wrong - she could see it in the medical team's faces."We're losing too much blood," someone said."The pup is in dis







