LOGINCHAPTER 44Raphael's POVThe night was endless.I sat beside her bed, her hand clutched in mine, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. The healer had done what he could. The wound was closed, the bleeding stopped.But she hadn't woken."She needs rest," the healer had said. "The body heals in its own time."I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to demand answers. But I knew it wouldn't help.So I waited.The battle had ended hours ago. Ironclaw had retreated once word spread that their spy had been captured. Without Lila feeding them information, they had lost their advantage.We had won.But it didn't feel like victory.Damien appeared in the doorway, his face drawn with exhaustion."How is she?""The same." My voice was hoarse. "She hasn't moved."He crossed to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "She's strong. She'll pull through."I wanted to believe him."She took a blade for me," I said quietly. "She saw the ambush and she ran toward it. Toward me."Damien was silent."She
CHAPTER 43Evelyn's POVThe war began three days later.I woke to the sound of horns.Raphael was already out of bed, pulling on his armor. The room was dark, lit only by the pale light of dawn creeping through the window."What's happening?" I asked, sitting up.He turned to me, his expression grim. "Ironclaw crossed the northern border an hour ago. They're marching on the eastern village."My blood ran cold."The eastern village. That's where Nora lives.""I know." He crossed to me, kneeling beside the bed. "I'm sending warriors ahead to evacuate. She'll be safe."I nodded, but my hands were shaking."Evelyn." He took my face in his hands. "I need you to stay here. Stay in the packhouse. Let the warriors do their job.""I should be there. I should help—""No." His voice was firm. "You're carrying our child. I won't risk you."I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped me."Please," he said quietly. "For me. Stay safe."I swallowed hard. "Okay."He kissed me. Hard.
CHAPTER 42Raphael's POVThe trade reports arrived at dawn.I was already awake, staring at the ceiling, Evelyn's head resting on my chest. She was still asleep, her breathing soft and even.I didn't move. I didn't want to disturb her.The past week had been different. Better. The walls between us had crumbled, and for the first time since the claiming, I felt like we were truly together.But the reports in my hand threatened to shatter that peace.The northern trade routes had been compromised. Three caravans attacked in the past fortnight. Goods stolen. Drivers killed.And the culprit was obvious.The Ironclaw Pack.They had been circling our borders for months, testing our defenses, probing for weakness. My father had dealt with them years ago, crushing their ambitions with brute force.But I was not my father.And Ironclaw knew it.I carefully eased Evelyn off my chest and rose from the bed. She stirred but didn't wake.I dressed in silence and made my way to the council chamber.
CHAPTER 41Evelyn's POVThe next council meeting changed everything.I walked in with my head high, my hands steady at my sides. Raphael was beside me, but he didn't speak for me. He didn't need to.Lila was already seated, her smile sharp and waiting."Luna," she said, the title dripping with mockery. "How kind of you to join us. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten the way."I didn't flinch. I simply took my seat at the head of the table."I'm never late," I said calmly. "Perhaps you should check your own punctuality before questioning mine."A few of the elders shifted in their seats. Lila's smile faltered.The meeting proceeded. Trade reports. Border updates. Grain distribution.When it came time to discuss the northern villages, Lila spoke up immediately."I think we should reconsider the Luna's proposal from last week," she said, her voice sweet as poison. "It was... ambitious. But perhaps too ambitious for someone with limited experience."I met her gaze."Which part concer
CHAPTER 40Evelyn's POVI woke to warmth.Raphael's arm was draped over my waist, his chest pressed against my back. His breathing was slow and even, his heartbeat steady against my spine.For a moment, I forgot everything.Then the memories came flooding back.The ceremony. The claiming. The way he had looked at me in front of the entire pack, his eyes filled with something I had never seen before.Vulnerability.I shifted slightly, and his arm tightened around me."You're awake." His voice was rough with sleep."So are you."He didn't move. Neither did I.The silence stretched between us, not uncomfortable but not entirely easy either. We were still finding our way back to each other. Still learning how to exist in the same space without walls between us."I should get up," I said finally. "There's work to do.""You're Luna now." His breath was warm against my neck. "You can sleep in."I snorted. "That's not how I operate."He chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. "
CHAPTER 39Raphael's POVThe walk back to the packhouse felt different.Lighter. Heavier. Both at once.She had given me a chance. Not forgiveness. Not warmth. But a chance.And I intended to use it.The moment I stepped through the doors, servants scattered. They had heard the rumors by now. Everyone had. The Alpha's mate had fled in the night, and the Alpha had gone after her.I ignored their stares and headed straight for my office.Damien was already there, seated at the desk with a stack of reports. He looked up as I entered."You're back.""I am.""And?"I crossed to the window, looking out over the training grounds. "She'll return. On one condition."Damien set down his pen. "What condition?""I have to claim her publicly."Silence.Then Damien laughed. A genuine, surprised laugh."Well," he said, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't expect that.""Neither did I."He studied me for a long moment. "You're actually going to do it.""I don't have a choice." I turned to face him. "
CHAPTER TWO: JUST LIKE A DREAM Evelyn’s POVMy heart raced as Alpha Raphael sniffed me like I was something to be tested… or consumed.The entire world seemed to shrink to that single moment as his breath neared my skin, his presence overwhelming, and suffocating. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t think.
CHAPTER ONE : HOPEEvelyn’s POVThey say the Moon Goddess makes no mistakes, and that every wolf is shaped with purpose, crafted carefully for the mate destined to find them.If that was true… then what was I?I stared at my reflection in the old mirror nailed loosely to the wall. The glass was cra
CHAPTER THREE: A CRIME OR DESTINYEvelyn’s POVThe walk home felt longer than it ever had before.The night air was cool against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. Every step I took felt heavy, like I was walking toward something I didn’t understand, and like something I could
Chapter 6 — YOU AFFECT MEEvelyn’s POVThe silence between Alpha Raphael and I stretched heavily across the dining table.I kept my eyes lowered, painfully aware of every half-eaten piece of bread and every stain of stew left behind on my plate. My earlier hunger had vanished completely, replaced b







