ELIANAAxel emerged from the corner, his eyes scanning the hallway with an unnerving intensity. His gaze followed the path the stranger had taken, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a flicker of recognition - in his eyes.Axel's gaze shifted back to me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he asked, "Was anyone here?"I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. My eyes darted around to the empty hallway as if searching for an answer. The stranger's sudden departure had left an uncomfortable silence, and I felt caught in the middle, unsure of what to reveal or conceal.I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. Axel's intense stare made me feel like I was withholding a secret, even though I wasn't entirely sure what was going on."Ummm, no," I stammered, the words tumbling out before I could reconsider. I wasn't sure if I had just made a terrible mistake by lying, but it was the best I could come up with on short notice.My mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions and
AxelI slammed the plates into the kitchen cabinets, the clatter echoing through the room as I struggled to contain the anger boiling inside me. My hands trembled with rage, my fingers clenched into fists as I fought to maintain a fragile grip on my temper.Everything was going well. I hope Anastasia doesn't ruin it for me. If she does, I would thirst for the last of her blood.I gritted my teeth, my anger simmering just below the surface. I had thought my beta had everything under control, but now I wasn't so sure. One of them had escaped, and I had a sinking feeling that they might have made contact with her.I was certain it was Anastasia.She had chosen to keep secrets from me, to lie about the issues brewing within my own walls. The audacity was staggering. Once she left, I would confirm whether any of them had been involved, and if so, there would be consequences.Eliana's actions only made my suspicions stronger. Her deception and dishonesty were proof that I needed to take dra
***33 YEARS AGOThe sky was a deep, foreboding grey, like a physical manifestation of the unease that settled over the land. Just minutes ago, the sun had been out and clear on the Nightshade Pack's territory, warming the earth beneath their feet. But now, the air was electric with anticipation, the thunder booming and crackling through the air.It was a storm like no other, one that seemed to draw the very breath from the atmosphere. The pack's elders would later tell stories of a similar storm, one that had ravaged their lands centuries ago when the ruthless Lycan King Azrael had met his end.But this storm felt different. The thunder seemed to vibrate through every molecule of air, the lightning illuminating the dark clouds in eerie, pulsing flashes. The storm's intensity was palpable, and it seemed to be building towards something - a reckoning, a revelation, or a transformation that would change the Nightshade Pack's world forever.Sophia's faint shout echoed through the empty r
ELIANAAxel's beta emerged from the corner, bowing slightly as he took in our surroundings. "Any issues?" Axel asked.His stern face was back, his expression unreadable. "No," his beta replied, his voice low. “But there is some information I want to pass”“Okay, go on.”The beta leaned in closer to Axel, presumably to whisper the details in his ear. But Axel's gaze never left mine. Instead, he commanded, "Spill."His voice was firm and authoritative, filling the space around us. It was as if he didn't care if I heard the conversation or not.My heart sank. Was it my father? Had they finally caught up with me? But before I could worry more, the news was released: "The Alpha of the Nightshade Pack is making his new mate Luna."My heart dropped like a stone. Axel's gaze locked onto mine, searching for my reaction. I tried to appear strong, to mask my emotions, but a sharp pain pierced my chest, threatening to expose my true feelings."The Luna ceremony will be held in the next full moon,
AXEL I needed her to feel at ease around me, to trust me implicitly, and to obey my every command without hesitation. That's what I craved. She smiled back at me, revealing her flawless teeth, and for a moment, I felt a spark of excitement; this wasn't just going to be another revenge; it would be an exciting journey.I couldn't help but wonder why that asshole had left her. The new Luna, the woman I'd seen earlier, was a far cry from the genuine article. All she seemed to care about was power, and it was painfully obvious. The fool probably thought she loved him, but I wasn't buying it.It was laughably obvious, and yet he claimed to be an alpha? It was a joke. He couldn't even detect the most basic of manipulations, and that was a pathetic display of leadership. What a shame.Perhaps fate had other plans; events had fallen in order to bring her into my life at the perfect moment. It was as if fate itself had conspired to deliver her into my hands, and I couldn't help but feel a sen
ELIANAI sprinted for my life, desperate to escape the two enormous wolves hot on my heels. With every passing second, they closed in, their panting growing louder. My heart racing, I pushed my legs to their limit, but they felt like lead, threatening to buckle beneath me. Refusing to give in, I summoned every last ounce of strength and kept running.Although the larger wolf was closing in on me, I found myself fixated on the smaller one. Despite the bigger wolf's proximity, I felt a greater sense of fear towards the smaller one.Just as the larger wolf was about to pounce, I braced myself for impact. But instead of attacking me, it gently swept me up in its thick, luxurious blue fur. The unexpected tenderness brought instant relief, soothing the temporary pain and leaving me stunned.We thought we'd escaped, the large blue-furred wolf and I fleeing together from the relentless pursuit of the smaller wolf. But soon, the smaller wolf caught up, and to my shock, the tables turned. The l
ELIANAAxel reappeared in an instant, his eyes scanning the room as he took in the scene. "What's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.I was still gasping for breath, my chest heaving up and down. Axel's gaze locked onto mine, and he sat down beside me on the bed, his movements fluid and gentle. He shifted closer, his presence a comforting warmth that enveloped me.Axel's hand gently lifted my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his. I was certain he could see the fear lingering in my eyes, but he searched for something more. "What happened?" he asked again, his tone laced with concern, yet edged with a hint of frustration that I wasn't opening up to him. His eyes seemed to bore into mine."I... I had a nightmare," I admitted, feeling an overwhelming urge to rest my head on Axel's chest, but hesitating, unsure if it was too intimate.Axel's brow arched in curiosity. "A nightmare, huh? What happened in the nightmare, exactly?" he pressed, his eyes locked onto mine.Just as I was
ELIANAI slowly opened my eyes to find the morning sun peeking through the gap in the curtains. It was morning already? The day seemed to have flown by, with the night feeling eerily short. I stretched languidly, feeling the comfort of the bed, and trying to shake off the sense of urgency that had settled in my mind.The heat was oppressive, making a morning bath a necessity. I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, but as I reached for the doorknob, I found it wouldn't budge - the door was locked. Confusion etched on my face, I wondered, "Didn't I just...?" But my train of thought faltered, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.I had just used the bathroom last night; how come it was locked? Was the door knob spoilt or something… I thought.A knock on the door broke the silence, and I called out, "Come in." A woman entered, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. I could tell it was forced."Good morning, ma'am," she said, her tone p
ELIANAI felt heartbroken. The weight of unrequited feelings and unresolved emotions settled in, making it hard to breathe. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to process the depth of my sorrow. It wasn't just about the end of a role or a chapter in my life; it was about the connection I had felt with him, the longing for something more. The ache within me seemed to echo through every part of my being, a poignant reminder of what could never be.He wasn’t my lover, but it felt like a breakup. The emotions swirling inside me were a jumbled mix of grief, loss, and yearning. Though we'd never been romantically involved, the connection I'd felt with him had run deep. Now, it seemed like that connection was severed, leaving me feeling bereft and disoriented. The sense of emptiness was palpable, as if I'd lost something precious. I struggled to put into words the depth of my feelings, but the pain was undeniable.I couldn’t understand this. The emotions swirling inside me
ELIANA"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. I dropped what I was holding immediately, my heart racing as I tried to think of an explanation. My hands instinctively went to my sides, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just, uh, just looking around," I stammered, hoping my response seemed innocent enough. Axel's eyes narrowed, his gaze darting to the object that had fallen from my hands. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But as his eyes met mine again, I couldn't shake the feeling that he saw right through me.My heart was beating fast, pounding in my chest like a drum. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, making my hands shake slightly. I tried to calm myself down, taking a deep breath and attempting to steady my nerves. But it was hard to relax when Axel's piercing gaze was fixed on me, his eyes seeming to bore into my very soul. I forced a smile, hoping to appear nonchalant, but I could feel the ten
ELIANAThere was a loud knock on the door, interrupting me from the sleep I almost had, and I felt a jolt of surprise and irritation. The knock was insistent, demanding attention, and it seemed to shatter the fragile peacefulness of the moment. I had been drifting off, my eyelids growing heavy, my mind slowly unraveling the threads of consciousness. But the knock came, abrupt and unannounced, like a sudden storm on a calm sea. I groggily got up, my movements slow and reluctant, and made my way to the door, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. The knock came again, louder and more insistent, and I quickened my pace, my heart beating slightly faster in anticipation. Who could it be? A friend, a stranger, or perhaps someone with news? The possibilities swirled in my mind as I reached the door and hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening it to face whatever lay on the other side. The uncertainty was palpable, and I steeled myself for what was to come, my hand r
ELIANA"Thank you very much," I said to her. She smiled and nodded, seeming to accept my gratitude. I felt a sense of appreciation for her willingness to share information with me, even if it was limited. The conversation had left me with more questions than answers, but I was determined to learn more. I stood up, and she followed suit, our eyes meeting in a brief moment of understanding. "I will go and freshen up now, I will meet you later," I said to her, and once again expressed my heartfelt gratitude for the delectable meal she had prepared, "and thank you for the extraordinary culinary experience, the flavors were sublime, the presentation was impeccable, and the warmth with which you served it was truly touching, I'm deeply appreciative of the effort and care you put into cooking such a wonderful meal, it's a pleasure to dine with someone as hospitable as yourself, and I look forward to reciprocating the kindness in the near future, thank you for the food, it was a treat for t
ELIANA"Hey, Emily," Sarah greeted Emily with a warm smile. Emily's eyes flicked to Sarah, and she returned the greeting, but her gaze quickly snapped back to me. I could sense a mix of emotions crossing her face - surprise, curiosity, and maybe a hint of wariness. It was clear that she hadn't expected to see me here, and I wondered what she was thinking. Sarah seemed oblivious to the tension, chatting with Emily about her day and what she'd missed. I stood there, feeling a bit like a spectator, as Emily's eyes continued to dart between Sarah and me, her expression a mask of polite interest. But I knew that beneath the surface, she was probably wondering the same thing I was - what was going on, and what did it mean for us to be roommates?Emily smiled at Sarah. "Hi," Emily said, her greeting warm and friendly. But when I greeted her, she didn't respond to me. Instead, she seemed to freeze, her smile faltering for a moment as her eyes met mine. It was as if she was choosing her respon
ELIANA"When is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I leaned in slightly, eager to know the details of the alpha's annual ceremony and what it might entail, especially given the intrigue and importance surrounding such an event."Tonight," he replied, his voice low and smooth, the word hanging in the air like a promise or a warning, leaving me to wonder what the night would bring and what lay in store for me at the alpha's annual ceremony.Alphas and their Lunas were going to be present, I remembered always begging Gabriel to let me go along with him, to be a part of that world where power and prestige walked hand in hand. But he never agreed, always saying it wasn't important for me to be there, that my presence wouldn't add any value to the proceedings. The memory stung, a mixture of frustration and longing that I couldn't shake off. Why had he been so adamant about keeping me away? Was it truly because he thought I wouldn't be interested, or was there something more to it? The que
ELIANAConfusion clouded my mind as I struggled to piece together the fragments of what was happening. Everything seemed to be shifting, like sand slipping beneath my feet, leaving me unsteady and unsure of what came next.Axel was being extremely nice, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. His words were laced with kindness, and his smile seemed genuine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden change than met the eye.It wasn't as if he was the same person who looked at me with rage in his eyes just a few days ago. The memory of that intense glare still lingered, making his current niceness feel like a carefully crafted facade, one that could shatter at any moment.I was certain of what I saw in his eyes - a depth of emotion that seemed almost raw, a flicker of something intense and unspoken that left me wondering what lay beneath his tough exterior, and whether I'd ever get to see the real him.It was warmth, it was soft and kind - a gentle contrast to t
AXELI strode swiftly through the forest, my feet pounding the earth in a rhythmic cadence. There was no need to shift; my human form was more than capable of keeping pace with hers. The trees blurred together as I walked, my focus fixed on catching up to her.The mystery deepened, and my curiosity was piqued. I was determined to uncover the reasons behind her fear, to understand what drove her reaction to my wolf. The unknown had become a challenge, and I was resolute in his pursuit of the truth.Just as I heard the sound of her movement, I quickened my pace. "Eliana, wait," I called out, surprised when she didn't respond. But then, she did. Her footsteps halted, and she turned to face me, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of caution and curiosity.But mostly fear.The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had triggered it. Was it something about me, about my presence, or about the wolf that lurked within? The question swirled in my mind, demandin
ELIANA"Eliana, wait!" The voice pierced through the darkness, echoing in my mind like a siren's call. I recognized the tone, the urgency, and the familiarity. "Axel?" My heart skipped a beat as I hesitated, my feet frozen in mid-stride. I was supposed to keep running, to escape the unknown threat that lurked behind me. But something about hearing Axel's voice made me halt, made me pause in uncertainty. My breath caught in my throat as I turned, my eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for a glimpse of him. The sound of my own name on his lips had been enough to stall me, to make me question my instincts. Why had I stopped? Why was I waiting? The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could find answers, I stood there, suspended in time, waiting for Axel to emerge from the shadows."Why are you running?" Axel's voice was laced with concern, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I searched his gaze, and what I saw there surprised me. The fi