IRENE"You deserve to know the truth, Irene," Kael said to me when he decided to have a word with me. I wasn't expecting something from Kael but I had to pay attention to what he had to say since we had been fighting a lot recently. “Is anything the problem, Kael?” I asked, looking around. I also tried to search to get any clue about what he meant by that. But, I got nothing. I wasn’t expecting him to start talking like that. I thought he would throw another insult or maybe brag again. But instead, he stood there, staring at me like he actually cared.It was surprising and at the same time, I was taken aback. "What truth are you talking about?" I asked, folding my arms. "More lies? It what? Let me put it straight to you. I can't be deceived now. I'm wiser. I'm saying this if you ever thought that you were playing with a fool.""No! No lies. I'm done doing all of that. You deserve to know everything that has been going on. "I raised a brow, feeling skeptical. Why did he sound lik
IRENE"Are we almost there?" I asked, forcing a small laugh to hide the unease rising inside me.We had been going round different roads but we were yet to arrive at our destination. Kale must have noticed how uncomfortable I was but he didn't seem to mind. I contemplated within me if I should ask him what was going on again but it was clear that he ignored me the first time. I tried to sit up and straighten my back. I let out a loud cough and held my face. “Can you please answer me? This is becoming really creepy and I'm not comfortable,” I said, letting the cat out of the back. Kael just smiled and handed me a cold bottle of water. I hesitated for a second before taking it. Did he just dismiss what I just said? Or did he translate what I meant into being tasty?Kael was being so unpredictable and it was alarming. I stared at the cold bottle of water and it was tempting. My throat was dry anyway and with a shrug, I twisted the cap open and drank greedily."Thanks," I said, wip
IRENE"Where the hell am I?" I whispered, jerking upright.My heart pounded against my ribs as I looked around, wild-eyed.The last thing I could remember was a sudden blanket of darkness. Now, I was in a bright and cozy room. It was nothing like the nightmare I had expected.There was a large bed with fluffy white sheets, a small bookshelf and soft rug. On top of the nightstand was a little lamp with a golden base. I swung my legs off the bed and stood up fast. My head was spinning for a second and I grabbed the bedpost for balance. I was breathing so hard."What is this place?" I muttered under my breath, walking to the door.I tried to push it open yet it was locked.That was strange. I twisted the knob harder and I kicked it forcefully. Yet, Nothing. It didn’t budge. I leaned my forehead against it, closing my eyes for a second."Okay, Irene. Stay calm. Stay calm. Kael wouldn’t hurt you," I whispered, forcing the words out like a prayer. "He’s not like the others. He’s good
IRENE"How was it possible? No way! I couldn't be Kael's mate,” I said, stubbornly disagreeing. I refused to accept the news that Kael broke to me. This is nonsense if I must say. Kael leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, watching me like I was something pathetic. "You think this is about us?" he asked sharply. "You are scared. You don’t know how to handle your feelings. That’s why you’re doing this. You’re acting out of desperation."He laughed, shaking his head. "Feelings?""You love me," I said quickly. "You are just... confused. You are trying to protect me in your own twisted way. I don't think it's going to work.”"You still don't get it, do you?" he said, straightening.I shook my head stubbornly. I still had a lot to say. "You locked me up because you're scared. Not because you want to hurt me."Kael moved before I even saw it coming, he gave me a slap on my face. The slap hit me so hard, my head snapped to the side. A sharp sting exploded acr
IRENEAfter minutes of trying to be calm, I got up from where I was sitting. What even came over me? Why was I being so calm about it?"I’m not staying here to rot, Kael,” I ranted out and unfortunately, I couldn't stop myself from saying it. Kael sat by the door with one of his legs stretched out. His arms were also crossed and he could clearly see that I meant all that I said. “You heard me, Kael. I said you can't keep me here. I'm not a fool! I'm finding my way out,” I said again and this time, he just stared at the wall like it held the answers to all his problems.Bastard! I paced the small space and my bare feet slapped against the cold floor. My hands were tightened at my sides and I was already breathing out fire. I couldn’t sit still. I couldn’t breathe right. I had to move and do something.But Kael just sat there. Watching. Breathing. Being the wall between me and freedom."Did you hear me?" I snapped, stopping to glare at him. "I said I’m not staying here. Why are yo
LUCIEN"Where the hell is she?" I thundered and my eyeballs moved from one end of the corridor to another. I was so loud that my voice bounced off the walls of the empty corridor. I was angry and scared at the same time because I feared that something evil must have happened. I stood there, holding myself down as I kept breathing hard like I had just run a marathon.Two days!! Two damn days and still, nothing.At first, I thought she was just furious with me. This wouldn't be the first time Irene gave me the silent treatment. This wouldn't be the first time I deserved it either.But this? This silence and this complete disappearance from her was something that threw me off guard. I turned and stormed down the corridor, ignoring the curious glances thrown my way. Let them stare. I didn’t care. I needed someone to sit me down and explain to me. I stormed down angrily and I didn't even realize I was heading straight for Silas until I almost collided into him at the bend of the hal
LUCIEN"Find her. I don’t care how long it takes. Just find her and bring her back to me!” I commanded. The words burned as they left my mouth. They were like hot iron branding my tongue.I stood in the middle of my office, surrounded by my most trusted guards. Their faces were hard, determined and they knew better than to question me.This was a very critical period for all of us and I was not going to take any chances. "I want every inch of this territory searched," I said, voice cold and sharp. "Every border, every river, every cave. No one rests until she’s found. People can't disappear under my watch! It's uncalled for!” They nodded and they raised their fists to their chests."Go," I barked at them and in a flash, they scattered like wolves on the hunt.I was left alone again, and silence began to consume me. I was relieved that I had given out that order. Now, I have to wait for them to bring back good news. I slammed my fist into the desk and the papers scattered to the
IRENE"So funny! So, what he wants is for me to sit here and wait for death, you are dead wrong. I'm not going to be doing that!” I said aloud the moment I heard the faint click of the door handle.I scrambled to my feet with my heart hammering against my ribs. This was a very funny situation that I found myself in. My teeth gritted and I tightened my face as I prepared to fight whoever dared to walk in.It should have been Kael because It had always been Kael.He was the one who I was expecting. That bastard of a man with his fake smiles but to my surprise, it wasn’t him.The door swung open, and Malcom stepped in. Malcom? Was I seriously normal?For a second, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe the hunger, the fear and the anger had finally snapped something inside me.But no, it was him! It was that same man with cold eyes and a face that had never once smiled at me.My intestines twisted painfully and I didn't know what else to say that would show my rage. I h
IRENE “You look beautiful, Luna.” One of the maids whispered, stepping back to admire her work on me.. It's the morning of the mating ceremony. My heart thudded with nervous excitement when the maids filed into my room to dress me up. I stared at my reflection. I looked breathtaking. This was the kind of life that I deserved. “I… thank you,” I murmured to the maid, fingers brushing over the necklace that now rested on my collarbone. The meeting ground was filled to the brim. The whole pack had gathered. It was a sea of smiling faces, murmuring blessings, dressed in their best for the occasion. Silas stood near the altar, dressed in royal blue, his hands were clasped together, the sacred scrolls at his side. And then, there he was, Lucian, my alpha. He stood at the center of the courtyard like a solid pillar. His eyes were locked on me as I was led to meet him. “By the blessing of the Moon,” Silas intoned when I was facing Lucian. “We are gathered here to witness the sacred
LUCIEN My eyes widened in shock when I heard what she said. I asked her to repeat it to be sure I heard the right thing. “I am pregnant,” Irene said again when I asked her to, her voice barely above a whisper, but those words cracked through my chest in a way I never thought it would. The world tilted. She IS pregnant. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I just stared at her, trying to absorb the weight of her confession. I even frowned because I was too confused to understand her, not because I was angry. I saw fear travel to her eyes, and I had to soften my expression to assure her that I was happy. “You…” I took a breath. “You’re serious?” Irene nodded, her eyes already heavy with tears. “Yes.” I stepped closer, cupping her face with both hands, my thumbs brushing her cheeks. “Why… why didn’t you tell me earlier, my love?” She bit her lip, and then, as if the dam had broken, she spoke. “I found out while I was still with Kael,” she said, her voice shaking. “Back when I was ta
Irene's POVI sat cross-legged on the bed, my fingers absently trailing over the hem of the gown sample laid beside me. A maid had dropped it off hours ago, it was a gift from the council of Elders. The mating ceremony was about a week away, and the house buzzed with preparations—flowers, fabrics, feasts. It was exciting. I loved all the attention I got, but Lucien had grown distant, distracted.He was still here, assuring me that he cared, but it had changed. A knock came and Lucien stepped in. He looked tense, but he still managed to give me a soft smile."You're awake," he said.“I waited.” I rose slowly. “You missed dinner again. What's going on Lucien? Did I do something wrong?”His eyes clouded, a fleeting look of hurt flickered across his face. “Oh, Irene.” He pulled me to the bed and we sat down. “Is that how I made you feel?”I nodded and he continued. “I'm sorry, my love. I was hurting you unintentionally.” He brushed a hand through his hair. “There’s been… something to fo
Irene“Lucien, did you cook again?” I asked as I smelt the rich and buttery scent of something. My brows lifted when I stepped into the room. There it was, laid out in its glory: a large plate of pasta and chicken on the small table near the window.“My queen, it's all yours.” Lucien chuckled like a kid who just got his first bicycle. I blinked, stunned. “What is all this about?”“Don’t freak out,” he said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I only burned one thing this time and it's still good. The chicken is tender.”I laughed, the sound bubbling out before I could stop it. “Why did you keep cooking, Lucien?”He shrugged, as if it were no big deal. “You’re too beautiful to be stressed. I wanted to give you something back. Besides…” He stepped closer, voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “I think I’m improving.”“You are,” I murmured, staring at the food. My heart fluttered—because he cared too much. The first time he’d cooked for me, it had been a disaster.“Common,” he had s
Irene pov A month later, peace had finally returned to the pack and I could finally breathe. The air shifted and changed into something better and less contaminated. During that same time, I had been working really hard to gain the trust of the pack. "You know they're calling you 'The Gentle Luna' now, right?" Camila said, grinning as she handed me a mug of tea. I blinked and paused for a while. "Wait, what? Seriously?" I asked and She nodded at me. Her eyes were full of excitement. "It's spreading. The news is spreading outside the pack house. Even the traders in the market were saying how kind you were to the orphanage. Someone even mentioned you helped a little girl fix her broken doll. I'm so proud of you, sweetbreads,” she revealed and I chuckled, feeling warmth rise in my chest. "I didn't think people noticed that. This has to be very lovely news!” "Well, they did. And they are talking about it and they are doing that In a good way." That morning sunlight came i
Lucien “It is done, Alpha.” The guards assured me about Malcolm's additional punishment already carried out. I felt at peace at last. The traitors had been punished, and the pack would begin to heal. Though Kael was still out there, I knew he was no match for me, especially since his actions had been so wildly spread. If he were to ever be seen, he would not escape my wrath.The pack members would see that he was duly executed. Left to him, I would have killed him. He touched Irene and that alone should have made me behead him myself. Irene joined me in our room after talking to Silas. I was content that they were bonding well. She came to meet me on the bed, her warmth a gentle reminder of why I shouldn't bother about anything. She was cool, she was ice and she was fire. As we rested, Irene asked. “Lucien, why did you spare the council member's lives? I mean, you had every right to kill them, but you didn't. That's the punishment for traitors, death.”I looked at her, my eyes sea
Lucien“Long live the Alpha, long live the Alpha.”The crowd cheered loudly, content about the verdict I gave each of the traitors. It was the hardest for me to do. Tos sentence all seven of the council of Elders, but I was sure that was the right thing to do.“It's time for Malcolm Stark's verdict!” One of the guards announced. The ground fell silent as the elders were led away, their fate sealed. I nodded to the guards, my voice firm. "Bring Malcolm in."The guards returned with Malcolm, his eyes gleaming with desperation and anger. He wasn't remorseful. He didn't even reflect on what he had done. To him, he was right and everyone was wrong. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, but I saw the faintest tremble in his lips. As he faced me, his gaze darted around the room, searching for an ally or an escape.“If you're looking for where to run to, I assure you that you wouldn't move two feet without getting stabbed in your neck, so, relax and be good.” I said. The guards chained him
LucienPeris would receive his judgement today. And then the council of Elders too. I didn't want to judge them altogether. I was going to hear each and everyone's side of the story. To me, that was fair and just. I was dressed and ready for the day when Irene came to stand by my side. "It's time for Peris's judgment," I said, my voice firm.She placed a hand on my arm, her eyes searching mine. "I wish you luck, my love,” she took a pause and went on. “Peris is not a man of many words, Lucien. He is timid and loyal, in his own way. Perhaps you should allow him to speak for himself. He might not even understand half of the plan.”I nodded, considering her words. When Silas and I had been listening to the conversation they had in Kael's house, Peris seemed like the last person to understand the plan. He wasn't much of a contributor, just a sleeping accomplice. "Very well," I said. "I'll hear him out. But, why am I feeling like you want me to spare him?”She laughed. “No, silly. I know
Irene's POVI closed the door softly behind Lucien, his kiss still lingered on my lips. He said he wanted to meet with some pack members, to reassure them after the chaos of the arrest.He seemed relieved at least. That was all that mattered to me. Apart from the butterflies tingling at the pit of my belly, I was fine. It was late now and all I wanted was Lucien's presence with me. To hold me, kiss me, and feel me. I couldn't ever get enough of him. He was my strength and my weakness.A knock broke through my thoughts and I answered.“Come in,” I said, rising to my feet, heart thudding for a reason I didn't know.The door creaked open, and Silas stepped inside. He stood, his eyes somber, rimmed with guilt and sadness. He looked pale. I hadn't forgotten that he had been stabbed, his arm had been bandaged.“Silas, are you okay? You look so pale.” I said, already moving closer to him. “Did you eat at all?”“Irene,” he said, his voice low. “Can I talk to you?I nodded slowly and motione