Mag-log inAdhara held Freya’s arm, begging her to stay, unsure how to explain her feelings or find the words to convince her. She wanted to know more about Jarckon—everything about him, every single detail of his personality.
Freya simply looked at her, slowly removed Adhara's hands from her arm, turned, and began to walk away. But before Freya could leave, Adhara pleaded with her to stay and talk for a while. “Please don’t leave. Stay for a moment.” A smile touched Freya’s face at Adhara's words, confirming her suspicions and prompting her to stop. She turned around and walked back towards Adhara, sitting down on the opposite side to observe Adhara’s expression as she recounted the tales of the Alpha. “Thank you,” Adhara whispered. “Why do you want me to stay?” “Oh! Yes, I want to know more about the tale of Jarckon and his mate.” Freya winked and raised her eyebrows, indicating she wasn’t convinced by Adhara’s answer. “Tell me more about them,” Adhara requested. “That’s all I can say about her. It is prohibited to tell his fiancée’s story because he doesn’t want his brutality and cruelty against her to be remembered at all.” Adhara grew more worried upon hearing this, and fear enveloped her once more. Freya noticed Adhara’s fright and considered telling her about the tragic moment in Jarckon’s life—the death of his mother—which was strictly forbidden to discuss in the castle. Freya thought this would frighten Adhara even more, deterring her from getting close to Jarckon. The smile returned to Freya’s face, confident that Adhara would now stay away from Jarckon after what she had revealed. “Tell me, what is it?” There was longing in Adhara’s voice. Freya cleared her throat before beginning the story—a story forbidden in this castle, a tragic moment in the Alpha’s life. Many have recounted this story, and the truth of what happened that night has become obscured. The tragedy in Jarckon’s life was deeply etched into him. That night, everything changed, his personality overwhelmed by the fear he instilled in his fellow werewolves. Adhara listened intently to Freya, her chest throbbing with fear at the servant's words. A thunderous rattle echoed in her ears as Freya began to tell the forbidden story of the castle. “That night, the Alpha went crazy with anger because he couldn’t accept being accused of killing his fiancée. He went out to the village to suppress those spreading the news of the killing. No one could stop him, not even ten mighty werewolves could quell his rage. His mother decided to follow him from the castle, believing that Jarckon would listen to her because she was his mother and trusting that her child would obey her. She quickly followed her son, but on that night, she failed." “She could do nothing but cry. Her tears were wasted. Jarckon never listened to her and got into a confrontation with the villagers, and the old woman tried to stop him. But she failed, and it resulted in her death.” “What?” Adhara's eyes widened. Was it true that Jarckon was responsible for his mother’s death? “Yes, you heard right,” Freya confirmed. “Jarckon was responsible for his mother’s death, and to this day, it is forbidden to speak of it.” She couldn’t believe Jarckon would do such a thing. How could he let his mother die in his hands, along with his fiancée? How cruel could he be? In Adhara's mind, Jarckon had no right to live such a life after all he had done to his mother and his fiancée. Adhara grew more terrified of Jarckon, never imagining he could brutally take lives for no reason. She feared Jarckon might do the same to her. Goosebumps ran down her body as she thought about what Jarckon did to his fiancée. She also learned that Jarckon killed innocent werewolves in the village, many of whom were simply caught in his rage. Freya suddenly stood up, sensing Jarckon’s presence, and hurriedly jumped out the window, transforming into a werewolf. Jarckon shouldn’t find her with Adhara; they were forbidden from speaking without his permission, and Freya knew Jarckon would not ignore this incident and would punish her. Adhara stood up and followed Freya’s gaze, stunned by Freya’s transformation into a werewolf. She looked at the door and saw Jarckon standing there. His green eyes were sharp, staring directly at her. She thought Jarckon wanted to imprint on her, to make her his mate. She was afraid of Jarckon’s piercing gaze, as if his eyes were reading her soul. Time seemed to stop as Jarckon entered the room and approached her. Jarckon stood before her and reached out to touch her face, surprising Adhara. She backed away and averted her face to avoid his touch. The stories Freya told her, the brutality he inflicted on his fiancée, and the death of his mother flooded back into her mind. “You need to get used to seeing me all the time,” Jarckon said bitterly. She stared at Jarckon, tracing the fear she felt in his eyes. Adhara averted her gaze, looking down, unable to bear staring at Jarckon any longer. She felt fear every time she saw him. She felt her life would end too soon if she stayed in the castle forever. Jarckon held out his hand, inviting her, and she wondered if she should accept the Alpha’s invitation or simply avoid him.Twenty years later The morning sun cast long shadows across the North Oregon castle grounds, where a group of young shifters practiced their forms in the training yard. At the edge of the field, Adhara sat on a wooden bench, watching them with a warm smile as she weaved a crown of wildflowers and herbs. “Still teaching them the old ways?” She looked up to find Jarckon approaching, his hair streaked with silver but his emerald eyes as bright as ever. He’d stepped back from day-to-day leadership a year ago, passing the Alpha mantle to their son Kael, but he still spent most mornings watching the next generation grow strong. “Someone has to make sure they remember that power without kindness is no power at all,” she replied, holding up the finished crown. “This is for Elara—her first day leading the morning meditations.” Their daughter, now twenty, had inherited Adhara’s passion for healing and diplomacy. She was already known across the clans for her ability to resolve conflict
Every second, his jaw tight with tension. The ticking of the hands felt like a countdown to something he couldn’t name—another transformation, another loss of control. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough. “Forgotten? How could I forget what you’ve done for me? That’s why I need you to leave. If Slagle finds us here…” He trailed off, his eyes darkening at the thought of his brother’s cruelty. Adhara stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Then we’ll face him together. You don’t have to carry this alone anymore, Jarckon.” He looked up at her, and for a moment, the pain in his emerald eyes softened. “You don’t understand what he’s capable of. He wants the Alpha throne—and he’ll destroy anyone who stands in his way. Including you.” Before Adhara could reply, a sharp knock echoed through the house. It was not a gentle tap, but a heavy, demanding pound that shook the wooden doorframe. Both of them froze, their hearts racing. “Jarckon! I know you’re in there!”
The light of dawn seeped into the room, and sunlight poured through the window. Adhara, who was naked, picked up her clothes and dressed herself. She still recalled the night she shared with Jarckon. The fire burning in her body flamed like a fire that was burning her soul. As their bodies united as one, their moods lifted. Her heart leaped for joy. It was a great feeling—different from the first time Jarckon had been with her. She took a glance at Jarckon, who was still sleeping, and treasured every moment she was with him. Again, she stared at the man who had captured her heart. Everything changed in an instant. She thought that being with "the beast" Jarckon had brought her a miracle. They often dined together and shared thoughts they never used to discuss. Their confession of feelings had created a harmonious relationship under the roof they shared. It was like a fairy tale, and everything was perfect. But the fairy tale they had dreamed of turned into a nightmare. Jarckon
“Jarckon, why are you doing this to me?”She came nearer to Jarckon and sat beside him. His thick eyelashes and lean, hard jawline made him more attractive in Adhara’s eyes.“Why do you make it hard for me? From the day you brought me to the castle, I thought my life would be in danger. Every time I see your eyes blazing like fire in anger, my heart melts—and there are moments I feel like you’ve stabbed me a hundred times with heartache.”She could not control her emotions as she touched Jarckon’s face and breathed in his scent. She rested her head on his chest for a moment and touched his lips with her fingers.“It might feel safer to hide my feelings, but I’m now convinced that hiding them was a mistake,” Adhara said to herself.She took a step back, put her palm over her mouth, and bit it.“Adhara?”“I’m sorry to wake you. I’m just checking your pulse rate… and your breathing.”Jarckon stared at her and smiled at once. Her face turned red like tomatoes glimmering under the sun’s he
The Alpha is your fated mate. Your lover and companion. Words that resounded in her head. She never thought Alexius would say that. Jarckon was her mate.She remembered the night when she saw Jarckon. She still remembers that night.Heavy rain poured, and she ran away from the forest because of the pain she felt. That night, Slagle had left her. It made her heart tear into pieces. From that night, everything had changed.She found Jarckon lifeless, covered in blood, with scars and bruises. She stayed in the cabin for the whole night after helping him out of the forest.That night, she saw herself with the Alpha—but then she refused to accept that Jarckon was her fated mate.“I know there is so much running in your head now,” Alexius said. She just sighed and stared at the four corners of her house, wondering if she could find an answer behind the walls.“Tell me that everything is a joke.”“You can never hide and run from the truth.”“I am confused. Jarckon is my mate? But I don’t wan
“Tell me everything you said was a lie.” “I’m sorry. But that’s the truth.” She almost sat down from feeling weak, as if she were a candle burning in the fire. Alexius’ voice was an eerie sound rattling in her ears — like a storm slowly breaking her down. “Adhara, you need to accept it.” She just shook her head, and sadness blanketed her. She chewed her lower lip and let tears flow down her face. Alexius sighed and looked at her, searching for words to comfort her. “Tell me — why am I the reason for his suffering?” He looked at Adhara but couldn’t meet her eyes. Before he spoke, he was careful. He gave a tight, half-smile, thinking it would comfort her and lighten her heavy thoughts. “When did it start?” she asked Alexius. But he just moved closer and tapped her shoulder, saying he was sorry for how she felt. He sat facing her, finding the courage to look into her eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you… But I guess it’s your right to know everything.” “Tell me.” Her eyes pleaded w
She strolled farther, and the sun climbed higher, casting a blush of heat across her skin. The town was overcrowded—humans moved, ran, and bustled with spending money, while others attended an event in the plaza. She turned to glimpse the gentleman who’d saved her and brought her here, but he was a
She looked out the window, and her eyes fixed on the castle grounds—memories flooded back: the place where she’d met Jarckon, the tunnel, and the secret door in the kitchen. It was a relief he didn’t post guards outside her room all day. That night, as she fell asleep, she resolved to escape. This
Adhara and Jarckon had time to get to know each other well—they frequently saw each other and took walks in the castle garden. There were times he sent gifts without an occasion, which made Adhara flattered. She also often cooked for Jarckon and they had breakfast together. The servants and other p
“My lady, are you okay?” Felicity asks Adhara in a high-pitched voice. She moves closer to Adhara and glances at the outside of the kitchen. She looks awestruck and speculates about what she sees on the outside. “Oh, yes. I am okay. But don’t worry about me… I’m just… “ Adhara looks too worri







