Edward"Thank you… for earlier. For playing along."Her voice was soft, almost shy, but it cut through the heavy silence of the room.I looked at her where she sat by the fire, her gown loosened at the shoulders, the flames painting her in shades of gold. She looked tired, yes, but not broken. If anything, she was glowing, her crown set aside on the table beside mine.I leaned back, a slow smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, I saw what you did there.”Her brows lifted. “What do you mean?”“The way you held on to me in front of them all. The way you leaned in like you couldn’t breathe without me.” I tilted my head, watching the way color crept into her cheeks. “Bold of you, Luna.”She laughed, quiet, almost nervous, and shook her head. “I just… I needed you. More than I thought I would. And you didn’t hesitate.”I studied her for a long moment, the fire crackling between us. “Of course you needed me. That’s what I’m here for. You don’t have to face them alone anymore.”Her eyes softened at
AVAThe throne hall had transformed into a feast of gold and silver. Long tables were spread with roasted meats, honeyed breads, fruits glistening like jewels under the chandelier light. Goblets overflowed with wine that smelled sharp and sweet, and laughter rolled through the air as the Alphas of every pack gathered.Edward and I sat at the high table, draped in rich furs, the crowns still gleaming on our heads. To my right sat Edward, regal as ever, though I caught the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes as he listened to one Alpha boast about his warriors. To my left, the Lycan King Alaric commanded attention with his mere presence, his golden eyes assessing everything like he was weighing each soul in the room.And then—Liam. My past. My mistake. He sat across the hall among the other Alphas, his dark hair catching the light, his jaw tight, his eyes fixed on me. He didn’t blink. Didn’t look away.I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he still affected me. So I leane
Ava's POV "Hold still, my lady, or this crown will slip before it even sits on your head."I laughed under my breath, even though my stomach was a mess of knots. The maids fluttered around me like anxious birds, tugging, smoothing, pinning—making sure every fold of silk and every strand of hair obeyed their will. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone else. The deep emerald gown, embroidered with golden threads, clung perfectly to my frame. My dark hair fell in waves, pinned back just enough to reveal my face, yet free enough to look soft, regal.A Luna-to-be. The Alpha King’s Luna.I swallowed, pressing my palms against my knees as I sat still on the velvet chair. Could I really stand this? The crown. The weight of the title. The endless eyes that would follow my every move.A voice deep inside whispered that I had no choice.And then, like it always did, my mind went back to Aiden. My twin. His laugh, his stubbornness, the way he always believed I was stronger than I thoug
Edwards Point of View Finally, the day had arrived.Coronation Day.I stood in front of the mirror in my chambers, adjusting the collar of my robe when a sudden burst of laughter echoed behind me. I turned to see the door swing open as four familiar faces barged in like they owned the place.“Long live the Alpha King!” Malcolm roared dramatically, throwing a piece of fruit at Desmond, who narrowly dodged it.“Show some respect,” I muttered, chuckling under my breath.“Respect?” Arlen laughed, arms wide as he strolled in. “It’s a sin to be this calm, Edward. It’s your big day, man! You should be panicking!”“Or passed out from nerves,” Ryker added, holding up a flask. “Want a sip for courage?”Desmond sat quietly near the corner, a small grin on his face. Unlike the others, he wasn’t an Alpha.“Desmond!” Arlen pointed with exaggerated offense. “Why are you always just sitting there like a statue? You know you can’t keep following Edward around forever. Why not become something useful?
~AvaNimueh’s voice echoed in my mind again, calm but firm."Tell her. I drew in a breath, fingers curling into the edge of the seat. The silence between us stretched, but I had to speak.“I wasn’t always with my parents,” I said quietly, turning slightly to face Luna Antoinette. “My brother and I… we were kidnapped as infants.”Her eyes turned to me slowly, her lips parting in surprise.“They only found me a few years ago. By the time I returned to them, my twin brother was already dead.”A heavy silence filled the space between us, thick like fog.“When I came back, I wasn’t a baby anymore. I was a teenager, and I didn’t even remember them. I tried to rebuild something with them, but it’s hard. It feels… forced. Like I’m trying to fit into a life that doesn’t quite feel like mine anymore.”Her expression softened—something I didn’t expect from the same woman who had looked ready to stab me with her tea spoon this morning.“I heard that story,” she said after a beat. “Alpha Garry’s
~AvaWe followed the maid into the house. The smell of lemon oil polish and burning sandalwood greeted us as we stepped inside. Each step I took echoed through the marbled hallway like a heartbeat. The walls were lined with family portraits — paintings of alphas, lunas, warriors… and something tugged at my chest. I couldn’t stop staring. My fingers itched to reach out and touch the frames.Why did this place feel like home?“Ava?” Luna Antoinette’s voice snapped me out of my daze.“Yes?”“What are you doing?”“Oh… just soaking in the memories, one week away from home feels like forever,” I lied with a smile.We turned a corner and stepped into the sitting room. There they were — Alpha Garry and Luna Celene. My supposed parents.The Alpha had a calm strength in his eyes, dressed in a crisp navy robe that made him look more like a king than a pack leader. His Luna stood beside him — tall, graceful, and breathtakingly elegant in her deep emerald gown. The moment our eyes met, something i